Reports: UNLV set to hire ex-Ga. Tech coach Josh Pastner

Former Georgia Tech and Memphis basketball coach Josh Pastner is set to be hired as the new head coach at UNLV, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.

According to ESPN, Pastner accepted a five-year contract offer.

Fired by Georgia Tech in March 2023 after the Yellow Jackets' second consecutive losing season, Pastner spent the past two seasons as a basketball analyst on TV.

"I've loved doing the television, but I do want to coach again," he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week. "But I want to make sure it's the right opportunity for me and the school feels it's the right opportunity for them. I hope there comes an opportunity."

Pastner, 47, compiled a 109-114 record in seven seasons at Georgia Tech, starting in 2016-17. He led the Yellow Jackets to the NCAA Tournament just once, when they fell in the first round in 2021.

Prior to that, Pastner logged a 167-73 mark at Memphis from 2009-10 to 2015-16. The Tigers reached the NCAA Tournament four times during his tenure, losing twice in the first round and twice in the second round.

He also had stints as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Arizona, and at Memphis. As a walk-on freshman, Pastner was part of Arizona's NCAA-winning side in 1997.

UNLV fired coach Kevin Kruger on March 15 at the conclusion of an 18-15 season that finished with a defeat in the Mountain West tournament quarterfinals. Kruger was on the job for four seasons, logging a 76-55 record.

--Field Level Media