UNLV hired Josh Pastner as its basketball coach on Tuesday.
Pastner, 47, has a 276-187 record over 14 seasons at Memphis (2009-16) and Georgia Tech (2016-23).
Contract terms were not announced.
He has worked as a television analyst since his firing by Georgia Tech after two consecutive losing seasons.
Pastner played on Arizona’s 1997 national championship team and later was an assistant there under Lute Olson (2002-08) and at Memphis under John Calipari (2008-09). He was promoted when Calipari left Memphis to take the head coaching job at Kentucky.
Between Memphis and Georgia Tech, Pastner led his teams to four conference tournament championships, two conference regular-season championships and seven postseason appearances (five NCAA Tournaments, two NIT). He was named the 2013 Conference USA Coach of the Year and the 2017 Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year.
UNLV athletic director Erick Harper said Pastner was the right person to replace Kevin Kruger, who was fired earlier this month after four seasons and a record of 76-55 but no NCAA Tournament appearances.
“He is a fearless and relentless recruiter with success as a head coach, and is also an exceptional communicator, deeply committed to engaging with the Las Vegas community,” Harper said. “Furthermore, Josh is committed to connecting with Runnin’ Rebel alumni, ensuring that everyone feels involved in the program’s success. We are confident that he will lead us to win championships and return the Runnin’ Rebels to the NCAA Tournament.”
UNLV last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2013. The school made four Final Four appearances under legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian and won the NCAA title in 1990.
–Field Level Media
