Georgia Tech names Josh Pastner next head coach
Georgia Tech announced Friday that Josh Pastner is the Yellow Jackets' new men's basketball coach.
The announcement confirms earlier reports from USA TODAY Sports and other media outlets that the sides were in deep negotiations and a deal was close.
Pastner, 38, replaces replace Brian Gregory, who was fired after five seasons in which he never made the NCAA tournament.
Pastner said Friday he knows the Yellow Jackets will need to be rebuilt.
“I mean, look, it’s not going to happen overnight,” Pastner said. “We’re going to have to take a step back to take two steps forward. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to try to win every game next year and compete, but it is what it is.”
Pastner made the NCAA tournament four times in his first five years at Memphis but missed the postseason each of the last two years, drawing significant scrutiny from the Tigers' passionate fan base. He was He was 167-73 in seven seasons with the Tigers.
There was talk this year that Memphis might fire Pastner, but the fact he was owed more than $10 million on his current contract weighed heavily in the decision to retain him for 2016-17. Pastner turned down the Southern Cal job in 2013 to stay at Memphis on a contract that paid him $2.65 million per year.
Instead, Pastner will get a fresh start in the ACC, where Georgia Tech has not finished better than seventh since 2007.
Despite the downturn of the Memphis program the last two years, which included a drop in attendance, Pastner comes to Georgia Tech with a reputation as a strong recruiter.
Pastner already has recruiting contacts in Atlanta. Two of his heralded recruits at Memphis were signed from Atlanta — 2015-16 senior Shaq Goodwin and Tiger Jelan Kendrick, though Kendrick later was dismissed from the team by Pastner before playing at Mississippi and UNLV.
Memphis President David Rudd and athletic director Tom Bowen said on March 18 the school was sticking with Pastner but would “make the necessary investments and changes” so it can “compete at the highest level.”
After Pastner’s departure, Bowen wished Pastner well in a statement.
“Coach Pastner guided our program with integrity, high academic standards, and a commitment to the Memphis community,” Bowen said.
The University of Memphis will pay Josh Pastner $1.255 million over two years as a contract settlement, Rudd told The Commercial Appeal.
ESPN reported that Pastner's contract will be six years, $11 million.
Contributing: The Associated Press