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UNLV to hire Josh Pastner as program's next head coach

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•about 23 hours•

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USATSI_20166774 (1)
Mar 7, 2023; Greensboro, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Josh Pastner reacts in the second half of the first round of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Pete Thamel, UNLV is set to hire Josh Pastner as the program’s next head coach. Pastner recently has been doing work with ESPN as an analyst, waiting for his next job opportunity. The time has now come as Pastner will make his way out to Las Vegas.

“Sources: UNLV is finalizing a deal to hire veteran college basketball coach Josh Pastner as the school’s next head coach, per me and @jeffborzello,” Thamel said via X.

This will be the third program to employ Pastner as their head coach. Memphis was the first to give him the opportunity, followed by Georgia Tech. Fourteen total seasons have resulted in five NCAA Tournaments and two wins once included in the field.

Pastner does have some conference honors in his name. Memphis won both the regular season and conference tournament titles in 2012 and 2013 as a member of Conference USA. You can add a Conference USA Tournament championship in 2011 too.

Georgia Tech was able to win the ACC Tournament for the first time in nearly three decades when the Yellow Jackets cut down nets in 2021. While Pastner was eventually fired two seasons later, it’s still Georgia Tech’s last postseason appearance.

Overall, Pastner has a career record of 276-187. UNLV is hoping the same winning record will follow him to a program searching for success.

Earlier on Monday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported Arkansas State head coach Bryan Hodgson was in line to get the job. He has since reportedly taken over at USF, leaving UNLV the opportunity to hire Pastner.

More on UNLV, hire of Josh Pastner

The NCAA Tournament drought is over a decade, reaching 11 seasons after 2024-2025. While former head coach Kevin Kruger has finished years with records over .500, he was not able to get into the field of 68. UNLV decided to pull the plug following another season coming up short.

Being a member of the Mountain West, the conference has been a multi-bid league for a few seasons. Outside of San Diego State making the Final Four, not much success has come from being included. Even so, other schools are showing making the dance is possible.

Pastner enters with the resume showing he has the ability to get there. Whether through at-large bids or winning conference tournaments, you have to imagine making the NCAA Tournament is priority No. 1 for UNLV.