Memphis Tigers basketball coach Josh Pastner may be a potential candidate for the Arizona State Sun Devils head coaching position as the Sun Devils parted ways with coach Herb Sendek Tuesday afternoon, according to ESPN.com.
Sendek met with Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson today, and was told he would not be returning next season. This is despite the fact Sendek received a contract extension from the Arizona State board of regents until 2017 earlier this season.
Anderson released the following statement on the Sendek firing Tuesday afternoon.
"I have informed Herb Sendek that he will not be retained as the head men’s basketball coach at Arizona State University," Anderson said. "This has not been an easy decision for me. Herb (Sendek) has been a tremendous asset to this university and a pillar of our community, and his tenure over the past nine years has helped shift the direction of this program. Our national search for a new head coach begins immediately, but we will take our time and be deliberate in securing a leader that is the best fit for the program and our university. The change will not impact Sun Devil Athletics' operating budget as a result of paying Herb’s contract. A budget-neutral solution has been developed with assistance of donor contributions. This search will begin a new era in our men’s basketball program that we expect will have a very bright future."
It would be something of homecoming for Pastner as he spent 12 years at the University of Arizona as a player where he was a part of the 1997 National Champions, as well as an undergraduate assistant coach, recruiting coordinator and assistant. He is seen as one of the leading candidates for the job along with UC Irvine coach Russell Turner.
Pastner joined the Tigers staff in 2008 as an assistant to then coach John Calipari would replace him in 2009, when Calipari left Memphis and took the University of Kentucky job.
Though Memphis is coming off of their worst season under Pastner finishing 18-14 and missing the postseason since 2000 it has not been all bad under him. In Pastner’s six seasons, the Tigers are 148-58, and he led the Tigers to four straight NCAA Tournaments between 2011-2014.
Sendek led the Sun Devils to a 159-137 record in nine seasons with Arizona State, including two appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2009 and 2014, advancing to the second round both times.
Pastner has been the coach of Memphis Tigers since the 2009-10 season. Photo by David Minkin.
