Tucson, Ariz. University of Arizona head coach Lute Olson has added
former Wildcat player Josh Pastner to his coaching staff. Pastner, who
played for the UA from 1996-2000, will assume the title as undergraduate
assistant coach and assumes all the same duties as the other three
assistant coaches, with the exception of going on the road to recruit.
Pastner is able to become an undergraduate assistant coach due to an NCAA
rule that allows athletes who have used up four years of eligibility
without taking a redshirt year to continue to pursue an undergraduate
degree. After receiving his undergraduate degree in two-and-a-half years
and then his master's degree in the three-and-a-half years, Pastner must
now pursue another undergraduate degree, but can not continue to pursue his
doctorate. He will also continue to receive a scholarship, but is not
allowed to receive a salary.
"I can't tell you how excited I am about this," Pastner said. "Like I have
said all along, it has been my dream to stay on with the Arizona basketball
program. It's one of the best in the country and I want to continue to be
associated with it. I want to thank everyone who have worked so hard to
make this happen. I can't wait for next season to start."
During his four years with the Wildcats, Pastner was a member of the 1997
NCAA Championship team, as well as the 1998 and 2000 Pacific-10 Conference
title squads.
