Pastner To Memphis

Josh Pastner, an assistant coach at the University of Arizona the past six years, has been recommended to join the Memphis men's basketball coaching staff, head coach John Calipari announced Monday. Pastner's hiring is pending approval of the University and Tennessee State Board of Regents.

"We are excited that Josh is joining our staff," said Calipari. "To add a coach with the experience and success Josh has is a plus for our program and the University. We are always looking to move forward and improve our basketball program in every way, and I believe Josh can help us to do that."

In Pastner's six years as a full-time assistant coach from 2003-08, Arizona averaged nearly 23 wins per season (137-60 record; .695 winning percentage), captured two Pac-10 regular season championships (2003, 2005) and advanced to two NCAA Tournament regional finals (2003, 2005). The Wildcats earned NCAA Tournament berths in each of Pastner's six seasons as an assistant coach.

"This is a great opportunity for me to be able to work not only for one of the nation's top basketball programs but also under one of college basketball's best coaches in John Calipari," said Pastner. "I want to thank and give credit to the former assistants whose tremendous efforts helped make the Memphis program what it is today. I just want to assist in continuing the momentum they started.

"I'm also excited about moving to Memphis. I've heard a lot of great things about the University and city and look forward to getting involved in the community."

Pastner, who was with the Arizona program as a player, administrator and coach since 1996, was a key cog in the Wildcats' recruiting efforts and working with the program's big men.

In six seasons on the Arizona coaching staff, Pastner's tireless efforts on the recruiting trail paid big dividends, as the Wildcats continued to successfully recruit top-notch student-athletes.