Josh Pastner to UNLV: A Stabilizing Hire After a Chaotic Search
UNLV basketball has finally made its move, hiring former Memphis and Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner to lead the program into a new era.
This wasn’t how the process was supposed to go. After firing Kevin Kruger, the program had the momentum to make a splash—Bryan Hodgson was in the building, national media was tuned in, and the local buzz was strong.
Then the NIL money didn’t add up, and Hodgson walked.
Now, UNLV lands on a name that brings experience, professionalism, and credibility in Josh Pastner—but not without raising some questions.
Let’s break it down.
Who is Josh Pastner?
• Career Record: 276–187
• Memphis Head Coach (2009–2016): 4 NCAA Tournaments, multiple 25+ win seasons, Conference USA dominance.
• Georgia Tech (2016–2023): Won the 2021 ACC Tournament, earned ACC Coach of the Year, and brought GT to its first NCAA Tournament in 11 years.
• Off the sideline the last 2 seasons doing ESPN TV work and staying connected in the game.
He’s coached at the highest level, recruited at the highest level, and still has a reputation as one of the most connected recruiters in the sport.
Why UNLV? Why Now?
After Hodgson backed out due to NIL limitations and the admin’s behind-the-scenes dysfunction, UNLV needed damage control. Pastner is a nationally known name. He’s respected. And most importantly—he said yes.
This hire checks boxes UNLV needed badly:
• Stability
• Experience
• Positive national reception
• A credible figurehead to lead a rebuild
This isn’t about a flashy scheme or viral recruiting videos. It’s about resetting the program’s foundation.
National Endorsements
UNLV rolled out some of the biggest names in the sport to support this hire:
• Jay Wright: “Josh is the perfect hire for UNLV… His recruiting energy, passion and experience will structure a roster that will allow the Rebels to compete for championships.”
• Coach K: “An excellent hire… Josh is a high-level coach. He’s a good man and a friend. He will be great in Las Vegas.”
• John Calipari: “Josh has been at the highest level of basketball his entire life. This is going to be exciting to watch.”
These are Hall of Fame coaches going on record—publicly backing a hire at UNLV. That tells you the national perception is favorable.
The Fit
Let’s be clear: this is not the hire UNLV started with.
But Pastner brings structure and competence to a program that desperately needs both. He’s coached in massive pressure environments. He’s recruited 5-star players and built rosters from scratch. He’s taken teams to the NCAA Tournament and won big-time conference titles.
Is he modern enough to thrive in the NIL + transfer portal era? That’s the unknown. But his national network and positive rep with players give him a shot.
What he needs now:
• A strong GM or support hire to manage NIL and the portal
• Real booster alignment to give him a competitive roster
• Retention of Dedan Thomas and Jaden Henley to stabilize the year one core
Why UNLV Keeps Screwing This Up
Let’s be honest: UNLV hasn’t nailed a basketball hire since Lon Kruger walked in 2011.
Since then:
• Letting Kruger walk over money
• Firing Dave Rice midseason
• Hiring and losing Chris Beard in 10 days
• Settling for Marvin Menzies
• Watching Otzelberger leave in two years
• Hiring Kevin Kruger on a budget
• Blowing the Bryan Hodgson hire because of NIL
The Josh Pastner hire is a recovery—not a plan.
UNLV had a chance to make a statement, and the lack of NIL infrastructure and internal dysfunction cost them a momentum move.
That’s not Pastner’s fault. But it’s the reality of what he’s walking into.
Final Word
This hire is solid. It’s safe. It’s stabilizing.
Josh Pastner gives UNLV a leader who can fix culture, recruit with energy, and provide national respect. But the bar is higher than that.
If UNLV wants to get back to being relevant, it’s not just about who’s on the bench—it’s about the support behind the scenes. NIL. Admin leadership. Booster buy-in.
This isn’t 1990.
But if they let Pastner build, it could be something again.