Key assistant leaving Arizona for Memphis
Pastner, 30, who played at Arizona and has been on the coaching staff since 2000, becomes the latest shake-up on Lute Olson's staff in the past month.
Kevin O'Neill, who was the interim coach last season after Olson stepped away, was temporarily re-assigned -- but will not be with the program once his contract expires. Miles Simon was let go last week and Pastner has left for a similar position with Memphis.
Olson has already hired Russ Pennell and he's expected to officially bring Denver Nuggets assistant coach Mike Dunlap on board as the associate head coach in a matter of days.
Dunlap will visit Tucson this weekend and has already told the Tucson newspapers that he's decided to accept the job.
Pastner's departure is more significant than that of O'Neill or Simon because he was the key recruiter and was responsible for bringing in guys like Jerryd Bayless, Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill. Dunlap will slide into the role vacated by O'Neill and he has the credentials to help Olson on the bench -- a pair of Division 2 national titles and plenty of respect as one of the elite bench coaches in the industry.
However, Olson will now have to bring someone on board who can move into Pastner's place and spearhead the recruiting process. Pastner is regarded as one of the top assistants in the nation and a tireless worker.
Pastner will replace Derek Kellogg, who was hired as UMass' head coach.
advertisement
