Georgia Tech hires Josh Pastner to lead men’s basketball program

Georgia Tech hired Josh Pastner as its new basketball coach, the school announced Friday.

Pastner, 38, spent the past seven seasons as head coach at Memphis. He went 167-73 with the Tigers and made four NCAA Tournament appearances.

Pastner replaces Brian Gregory, who was recently fired. Gregory went 76-86 and the Yellow Jackets never made the NCAA field during his five-season tenure.

Georgia Tech went 21-15 this season and won two NIT games before Gregory was fired.

Pastner won at least 24 games in each of his first five seasons at Memphis before his success declined over the past two seasons. The Tigers were 19-15 last season and 18-14 the year before.

Pastner made at least $2.65 million this past season. He was under scrutiny at Memphis after the downturn before the university said on March 18 that he would remain as coach.

Three weeks later, the Tigers are beginning the search for a new coach.

“Memphis basketball is a historically-renowned program, with a strong national legacy, and we expect to attract a national candidate pool,” athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement. “We will be efficient, but diligent in finding the right leader for this program.”