University of Memphis coach Josh Pastner will be staying for an eighth season per a joint statement from University president David Rudd and athletic director Tom Bowen released today.
Pastner, who has been the coach of the Tigers since 2009, has seen his team fail to qualify for the NCAA tournament or NIT in the last two seasons as Memphis has just a 37-29 record over that stretch. This prompted months of speculation of whether he would return for the 2016-17 season.
“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,” said Rudd and Bowen in the statement.
“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 UofM will make the necessary investments and changes in order that our program may compete at the highest level with Josh Pastner as our coach.”
Pastner will have to work efficiently as he currently has an assistant coaching opening on his staff following Damon Stoudamire’s decision to accept the head coaching at Pacific earlier this week.
The roster seems certain for another overhaul following the departure of Shaq Goodwin, Trahson Burrell and Ricky Tarrant Jr. to graduation plus another potential graduate transfer in Avery Woodson.
Dedric Lawson, who won the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year award, is testing the NBA waters, though while many expect him back for the Blue and Gray next season, it will largely depend on how the pre-draft process shapes up for Lawson.
Pastner has a record of 167-73 through his first seven seasons at Memphis, along with four NCAA tournament appearances and a lone NIT appearance in his first season back in 2009-10.
University of Memphis coach Josh Pastner has been coaching the team since the 2009-10 season. The Tigers have missed the postseason each of the last two seasons.
