Pastner
- Thread starter unlove
- Start date
So does this mean Pastner is going to be the new HC at Arkansas State.?
To go from Muller in FB to Pastner if BB is like living in Vegas and moving to Reno!
don’t hate the hire, but don’t love it either. Kind of in the Bayno, Rice mold.
Watching this it is apparent he will probably bring on 10 new guys this year. I like his excitement about the portal since this is the world we live in. Now assemble a good staff and get people excited about UNLV BB.
We haven’t hired a comparable coach like Pastner who is 47 and already 13 years of head coaching experience at high level collegiate basketball.
I get the record isn’t going wow anyone. But I’ve said over and over. The resume isn’t going to win Harper over. It’s going to be the energy, effort and vision that will win him over. Pastner has been praised as a tireless recruiter. This job requires someone that is going to be able to burn the candle on both ends and never stop working.
Here’s what Grok says:
Josh Pastner, recently hired as UNLV's men's basketball coach on March 24, 2025, brings a distinctive playing style and recruiting approach honed over his 14 seasons as a head coach at Memphis and Georgia Tech. Here’s what UNLV fans can anticipate based on his track record and coaching style:
Playing Style
Pastner’s teams are known for a high-energy, defense-first philosophy paired with an up-tempo, creative offense. At Georgia Tech, he established the Yellow Jackets as one of the ACC’s top defensive squads, consistently ranking among the nation’s best in defensive efficiency. His teams focus on:
- Stifling Defense: Pastner emphasizes aggressive, disruptive defense, often employing pressure tactics like full-court presses and active rotations to force turnovers. At Georgia Tech, his squads ranked in the top half of the ACC defensively year after year, with standout performances like holding opponents to low shooting percentages and contesting shots effectively. For example, in the 2020-21 season, when Tech won the ACC Tournament, they showcased this tenacity, leveraging players like Jose Alvarado to lock down opposing guards.
- Fast-Paced Offense: Offensively, Pastner favors a transition-heavy game that capitalizes on speed and athleticism. His Memphis teams, in particular, thrived on pushing the tempo, averaging high possession counts and scoring outputs—evidenced by his 31-win season in 2012-13. At Georgia Tech, he adapted to his roster, developing a more balanced attack over time, with an emphasis on guard play and creative sets that improved the team’s offensive ranking in the ACC from the bottom tier to the top half by his later years.
- Player Development: Pastner has a knack for elevating under-the-radar talent. At Georgia Tech, he turned Moses Wright into the 2021 ACC Player of the Year and nurtured Jose Alvarado into a gritty, two-way star. UNLV fans can expect him to maximize the potential of players like Dedan Thomas Jr., should he stay, by tailoring schemes to their strengths.
Expect UNLV to play with intensity, hustle, and a focus on defensive stops leading to quick offensive bursts. However, his Georgia Tech tenure showed occasional inconsistency—his teams sometimes struggled with offensive execution against elite competition, reflected in his 109-114 record there versus 167-73 at Memphis. The Mountain West’s competitive balance could suit his style well, though, if he adapts to the roster he inherits or builds.
### Recruiting Style
Pastner’s recruiting prowess is one of his calling cards, earning him a reputation as a “tireless recruiter” from his assistant days at Arizona and Memphis. Here’s what defines his approach:
- Elite Talent Acquisition: Pastner has a proven ability to land top-tier recruits. At Memphis, he secured the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2010 and No. 2 in 2013, bringing in players like Will Barton (later an NBA draft pick). At Georgia Tech, he signed five straight nationally ranked classes, including high-profile prospects like Josh Okogie. UNLV fans can expect him to target high school stars with an eye for athleticism and versatility.
- Relentless Pursuit: Known for his work ethic, Pastner once admitted to prioritizing recruiting over family time to secure a key prospect, a hustle that paid off with top classes. He’s likely to hit the ground running in Las Vegas, leveraging the city’s appeal and UNLV’s basketball legacy to pitch to recruits.
- Local and Regional Focus: At Memphis, he built around city recruits, tapping into local talent pipelines—a strategy that could translate to keeping Vegas-area stars like Dedan Thomas Jr. while expanding into the fertile recruiting grounds of California and the Southwest.
- Transfer Portal Savvy: With the transfer portal now a major factor, Pastner’s experience adapting to roster turnover at Georgia Tech (e.g., losing Alvarado post-2021) suggests he’ll dive into the portal aggressively. Posts on X from March 24, 2025, already show fans urging him to “start recruiting the portal” to rebuild after potential departures.
UNLV fans should anticipate a coach who’ll chase big names and local gems alike, aiming to restore the Runnin’ Rebels’ swagger with a mix of freshmen phenoms and seasoned transfers. His Georgia Tech years, however, hint that sustaining success with those recruits can be a challenge—his one NCAA Tournament appearance there contrasts with four at Memphis, where he inherited a stronger foundation from John Calipari.
What UNLV Fans Can Expect
- Immediate Energy Boost: Pastner’s youthful (47) enthusiasm and sideline presence will inject excitement into the program, which has missed the NCAA Tournament for 12 years. His high-energy style could resonate with Vegas’s fast-paced culture.
- Recruiting Surge: Expect a quick push to retain talent like Thomas Jr. and add impact players via the portal and high school ranks, potentially elevating UNLV’s profile in the Mountain West.
- Defensive Identity: The Rebels will likely become a tough, gritty team that opponents dread facing, with a chance to climb conference standings if the offense clicks.
- Growing Pains: Pastner’s .596 career winning percentage (276-187) drops to .489 at Georgia Tech, suggesting he excels with momentum but may need time to rebuild UNLV’s foundation. Early seasons might mix flashes of brilliance with inconsistency.
In summary, UNLV fans can look forward to a tenacious, defense-driven team that plays fast and feeds off Pastner’s recruiting hustle. If he harnesses Vegas’s potential as a basketball hub, he could end the NCAA drought—but it’ll require patience as he molds the roster to his vision.
Fans forget where the program is right now, it’s a mediocre MWC program that can’t even get past thursdays in the conference tournament. It’s really pathetic.
I understand the hire, we need someone with a high level of energy to turn this around. Pastner is very vocal and has charisma, I think fans will come around eventually but I think this hire was about getting someone that’s going to outwork everyone to get the best team on the floor.
Previous regime had zero excitement or enthusiasm about the program and you couldn’t tell if they enjoyed being at UNLV. Someone like Pastner will get the fans going.
Same, like his attitude towards it all. If we can get some NIL $ behind him, then no doubt he’ll get talent here.
You can’t get 3000 boos from 900 people.
My dad is a Georgia Tech alum and we watched Pastner go through GT and get shat out. His guys were athletic and fun to watch at times. I wouldn’t say this is an endorsement….just an observation. The record is what it is. We should have done so much better replacing Kruger…. Who knows what’ll happen? I’ll support him here until he gives reason not to.
That game vs Memphis next season will probably get some tv coverage since Pastner is heading back there as a UNLV HC.
I was because of the players he landed in his 2nd year. TOP 15 in the NATION. Soured quickly Plus his interviews were something you would hear from a used car salesman. Sorry joe had to steal your line. I was being NOT being objective because how good he was at NMSU. Then after i saw the results i knew he was a fraud.
This hire is not as exciting as Hodgson would have been and Pastner is a name we have heard in our coach searches before. That said he will definitely have to walk the walk here and gain traction in recruiting, player development and install his playing style quickly. He won’t get 3-4 years if he bombs early but he is far more of a charismatic guy than Kevin ever could be. I’ll be curious to see how he works the portal and HS recruiting early on, and he was “chomping at the bit” to get back into coaching, per some in the media were saying… so we shall see.
He ain’t coaching in the ACC or even the AAC anymore so there is that little ray of sunshine! Lol
He ain’t coaching in the ACC or even the AAC anymore so there is that little ray of sunshine! Lol
Well that's one thing he won't have to worry about in this conference.
You look at a guy like Pastner, you can tell he loves the game and is animated all the time. That kind of energy is infectious and spreads, practices are livelier and players are more likely to be paying attention.
Sad to say, but I sometimes wondered if CKK even enjoyed coaching, much less being at unlv. It was hard to tell, practices looked like a morgue and it showed in games.
Pastner will give us a jolt of energy, I think fans will come around pretty quickly when he starts outlining his vision, putting his staff together and portal news.
Sad to say, but I sometimes wondered if CKK even enjoyed coaching, much less being at unlv. It was hard to tell, practices looked like a morgue and it showed in games.
Pastner will give us a jolt of energy, I think fans will come around pretty quickly when he starts outlining his vision, putting his staff together and portal news.
In order to get me to come around I'll need to see his roster, playing style, schedule and win/loss record. I don't believe he moves the NIL needle one dollar - perhaps regresses it. Playing style at GT and MEM looked good. We'll know his scheduling and win/loss record soon enough.
I don’t disagree, I must say though on the NIL front, it’s on the HC to make it happen. You have to sell the program to people. I think Hodgson is a very good recruiter but to expect unlv donors to fork over even more money just because (2 years as HC at Podunk State and CIT appearances) isn’t going to fly at UNLV.
I think Pastner understands his role and will get to work to earn people’s trust to invest in the program.
Problem is he CAN’T coach. His X&O’s has NEVER improved, I wanted a coach that plays chess not checkers!! We basically got Coach Rice all over again. Seen this movie before, does not end well. He is 5-20 vs top 25 teams, total red flag, will get exposed by sharper coaches especially in conference play.
How did we not get Olen or even Hodgson, is the UNLV job that undesirable!? WHAT A TOTAL LET DOWN 👎👎 C- grade (and I’m being nice)
How did we not get Olen or even Hodgson, is the UNLV job that undesirable!? WHAT A TOTAL LET DOWN 👎👎 C- grade (and I’m being nice)
Hodgson didn’t get it because USF offered more, it was a 6 year contract and more NIL. I think it’s hard for someone to come from Arkansas State with CBI appearances and start demanding certain NIL budgets. That’s a tough one.
Olen didn’t interview well I’m assuming, nice coach and nice guy but probably wasn’t what Harper was looking for in a head coach.
It’s pretty amusing watching the UNLV Twitter accounts claim “we didn’t have any NIL”, “not enough NIL” or “athletic budget is a red flag”…all of these dorks need to take a walk and stop pretending like they know anything. You’re speculating, be real about it. You do more harm than good to the program by doing so and you look like a clown. “Olen was offered but the NIL package was poor”..:.what a joke these people are. If Harp wanted Olen, he would have had him. Plain and simple.
So how come Olen is not our next HC?? I would assume that Pastner has some $$ attached to his name. NIL to be more specific. That is the only way this make sense.
Pastner is better than some coaches who were listed for us. He’s more of a known versus an “up-and-comer with potential,” so that’s why he’s not as sexy of a hire now.
He will bring the horses and not guys like Tillis.
We aren’t bringing back Tark so I’m good with this hire. I’m not abandoning the team or anything like that.
He will bring the horses and not guys like Tillis.
We aren’t bringing back Tark so I’m good with this hire. I’m not abandoning the team or anything like that.
I think it makes sense that Pastner was generally unwanted. ( Not picked up last year. Not picked up earlier in this coaching carousel season) We needed a coach and he was available. Poof - he's our coach.
Olen likely interviewed poorly. We don’t need another dry ball coach that doesn’t have any charisma, not going to sell the fans etc.
Would you want to coach here? Between the fair hearted fans and all the experts around Las Vegas and the fact that we can’t keep a coach for more than 4 years, we’re lucky to get someone like Pastner.
Nice job on the highlights of his philosophy. He will do great here. The league sucks so let's hope the Pac and MWC combine with both ESPN coaches leading the way. ACC experience is what I look at. Losing at GT is no slam on your ability. You have an automatic 6 to 8 losses just suiting up with Duke, NC, Virginia, Syracuse, NC State, FSU. A really tough league and Covid was a non starter for many teams playing in front of no one.
OMG!!
Ya’ll annoying as ****..
Whining & bitching because we didn’t hire Phil Jackson & or Pat Riley as our head coach..
Our program once very illustrious is now a very very very mediocre bottom feeder in a shitty conference..
Who the **** knows how Olen & the dude who went to USF will turn out.. could be good.. could be bad..
But ya’ll are acting like Hodgson is this slam dunk can’t miss coaching prospect when he has only been a HC for 2 years & yes he did very well at Ark State.. but ya’ll acting like he is the next Pinto…
Let’s give Josh an opportunity to coach a game here before saying he sucks & doesn't deserve it..
I am optimistic that things will be really good with him..
P.S. since ya’ll think that Hodgson is can’t miss.. & ya’ll are all knowing..
Let us know when the next Megabucks is going to hit & where so we can play it..
CRhodes
Ya’ll annoying as ****..
Whining & bitching because we didn’t hire Phil Jackson & or Pat Riley as our head coach..
Our program once very illustrious is now a very very very mediocre bottom feeder in a shitty conference..
Who the **** knows how Olen & the dude who went to USF will turn out.. could be good.. could be bad..
But ya’ll are acting like Hodgson is this slam dunk can’t miss coaching prospect when he has only been a HC for 2 years & yes he did very well at Ark State.. but ya’ll acting like he is the next Pinto…
Let’s give Josh an opportunity to coach a game here before saying he sucks & doesn't deserve it..
I am optimistic that things will be really good with him..
P.S. since ya’ll think that Hodgson is can’t miss.. & ya’ll are all knowing..
Let us know when the next Megabucks is going to hit & where so we can play it..
CRhodes
The known (Pastner shaky record vs the big time) will always be questioned vs the new shiny toy of up and coming coaches that you do not know if they can do well at higher levels, or not.
This actually does follow the Odom resume. He also was fired after middling results in a meat grinder conference. He did great here. Hope Josh does similar.
This actually does follow the Odom resume. He also was fired after middling results in a meat grinder conference. He did great here. Hope Josh does similar.
