As unlikely as this statement sounded a few months ago, the Josh Pastner era at the University of Memphis is entering year eight.
The perception was the Pastner era was nearing its end following the Tigers’ losses to three of the worst teams in the American Athletic Conference (East Carolina, Tulane and South Florida) and Memphis missing the postseason for the second consecutive season.
However, the U of M was going to have a tough time justifying spending $10.6 million to buyout the remainder of Pastner’s contract, regardless of how poorly the last two seasons have gone. Memphis has just a 37-29 record in that span.
Nevertheless, Pastner is now presented with another chance to help or hurt his resume. Pastner was correct when he said a few weeks the final chapter hasn’t been written yet. The following is the official statement released by athletic director Tom Bowen and U of M president M. David Rudd, Friday.
“The University of Memphis wishes to congratulate and thank our student-athletes, coaching staffs and our passionate fans, who are indeed the best in the country,” the statement said. “We have completed our comprehensive review of the men’s basketball program and have concluded that our program operates in a manner consistent with the core values of our University and community, but has fallen short in our on-court performance the last two years. The U of M will make the necessary investments and changes in order that our program may compete at the highest level with Josh Pastner as our coach.”
Like the statement above reiterates, Pastner won’t have much time to reflect on another disappointing season. Former assistant coach Damon Stoudamire’s departure to Pacific to take its head coaching job leaves an empty spot on his staff. Though his two other assistants Keelon Lawson and Robert Kirby are both expected to be retained for the 2016-17 season, obviously filling the empty spot with the right coach is crucial.
The departures of forward Shaq Goodwin, forward Trahson Burrell and guard Ricky Tarrant plus the potential departures of forward Dedric Lawson to the NBA and guard Avery Woodson transferring leaves Pastner’s 2016-17 roster in limbo.
However, it’s important to remember the core of this team led the Tigers to just 19 wins this season. Recruiting over the next few months will either lead to a renewed hope for Memphis fans next season or the continued pessimism that has grown over the failures of the past two seasons.
Fans on social media aren’t optimistic about Pastner’s return. If the Pastner era is going to turnaround he will have to find some way to win those fans back. Even if it seems highly unlikely at this point, given how the University barely reached the 6,000 attendance average needed to earn part of its annual payment from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Of course, the only way to win the fans back is by winning games, and it may take more than one good season for Pastner to change his image. The failure of the 2014-15 season, one which saw the Tigers miss the postseason for the first time since 2000, was supposed to be the low point. Then this season for all intents and purposes managed to top that.
For Pastner to salvage his situation at Memphis it will take an effort and performance not seen by him to this point. Regardless, he has one last chance to rewrite his legacy.
It’ll be interesting to see what he does with it.
University of Memphis coach Josh Pastner holding up a play last season. Pastner will return for his eighth season as coach of the Tigers next season.
