Post by Logan on Apr 9, 2016 2:23:20 GMT -6
In the end, both sides got what they wanted. Embattled head coach Josh Pastner got a fresh start at Georgia Tech and the University of Memphis, having saved roughly $9.3 million in electing last month not to fire Pastner, gets to search for just its third head coach in the last 16 seasons.
"Memphis basketball is a historically renowned program, with a strong national legacy, and we expect to attract a national candidate pool," U of M athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement released minutes after Pastner was named Georgia Tech’s head coach Friday afternoon.
It was just three weeks ago that Bowen, U of M President David Rudd and an athletic advisory committee decided not to fire Pastner after a review of the program, which has gone 39-27 over the last two seasons and failed to make the postseason. Firing Pastner — who went 167-73 in seven seasons at Memphis but just 2-4 in four NCAA tournament appearances — would’ve cost the U of M $10.6 million.
Instead, it agreed to pay him a total of $1.255 million over two years in a contract settlement, potentially freeing the program financially to go after a marquee coaching name such as Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall, who’s been a hot prospect the last few seasons. Marshall, who led the Shockers to a Final Four in 2013 and a Sweet 16 in 2015, is making $3 million per year and is slated to make $3.5 million in 2018.
Read more: www.commercialappeal.com/sports/tigers/basketball/Source-Georgia-Tech-to-name-Pastner-head-coach-today-375027931.html
"Memphis basketball is a historically renowned program, with a strong national legacy, and we expect to attract a national candidate pool," U of M athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement released minutes after Pastner was named Georgia Tech’s head coach Friday afternoon.
It was just three weeks ago that Bowen, U of M President David Rudd and an athletic advisory committee decided not to fire Pastner after a review of the program, which has gone 39-27 over the last two seasons and failed to make the postseason. Firing Pastner — who went 167-73 in seven seasons at Memphis but just 2-4 in four NCAA tournament appearances — would’ve cost the U of M $10.6 million.
Instead, it agreed to pay him a total of $1.255 million over two years in a contract settlement, potentially freeing the program financially to go after a marquee coaching name such as Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall, who’s been a hot prospect the last few seasons. Marshall, who led the Shockers to a Final Four in 2013 and a Sweet 16 in 2015, is making $3 million per year and is slated to make $3.5 million in 2018.
Read more: www.commercialappeal.com/sports/tigers/basketball/Source-Georgia-Tech-to-name-Pastner-head-coach-today-375027931.html