Georgia Tech fires basketball coach Josh Pastner after 7 seasons: Why now and what’s next

Mar 7, 2023; Greensboro, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Josh Pastner reacts in the second half of the first round of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
By Jeff Schultz and The Athletic Staff
Mar 10, 2023

Georgia Tech fired men’s basketball coach Josh Pastner on Friday after the Yellow Jackets’ season ended in the ACC tournament Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The Yellow Jackets finished the season 15-18 overall and 6-15 in conference play.
  • Pastner, 45, had been with Georgia Tech for seven seasons. He finished his tenure 109-114 with one NCAA Tournament berth (in the 2020-21 season).
  • Pastner previously coached Memphis for seven seasons, going 167-73.
  • Charleston’s Pat Kelsey, Tulane’s Ron Hunter and Kennesaw State’s Amir Abdur-Rahim are a few potential candidates to fill the job.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Why now?

Georgia Tech athletic director J Batt was instrumental in the hiring of Nate Oats at Alabama and considers himself a strong basketball guy. He clearly wasn’t moved by Pastner coaching the Jackets to the ACC tournament championship in 2021 — their first conference title in 28 years — and gave more weight to the two disappointing seasons that followed (27-38 overall, 11-29 in the ACC). Pastner has been a solid sideline coach and players seem to enjoy playing for him. But he has struggled to make a significant impact in recruiting and his inability to add needed talent via the transfer portal in the offseason — partly stemming from Georgia Tech’s lack of NIL funding at the time — hurt this season’s team. — Schultz

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What’s next?

This is a bold move for Batt, who is putting his stamp on the athletic department. He hired football coach Brent Key (replacing the fired Geoff Collins) in November, and now is overhauling the basketball program. His decision to make this move now suggests he already has someone in mind for the job.

But the Tech basketball opening isn’t nearly the job it used to be or certainly what some long-time followers of the program think it is. Neither of the last two coaches, Pastner or Brian Gregory, were among the school’s first choices. There’s not a ton of revenue in athletics and the school just made a significant buyout for Collins. Pastner had three years left on his contract, equating to a buyout of approximately $2.5 million. — Schultz

Who could replace Pastner?

Pat Kelsey, who went 31-3 in only his second season at the College of Charleston, is expected to be high on the list of Batt’s candidates to replace Pastner. Former Georgia State coach Ron Hunter, who’s now at Tulane, and Kennesaw State’s Amir Abdur-Rahim also could be popular choices among fans.

Kelsey just signed a five-year extension with Charleston two weeks ago that includes a $1 million buyout if he leaves for another job before 2028, according to The Charleston Post and Courier. So that could be a problem. — Schultz

What they’re saying

“We have high expectations at Georgia Tech for all of our sports programs, and it is imperative that men’s basketball achieves a greater level of success,” Batt said in a statement. “Our men’s basketball program is important to our department, and to our institution. We will not shy away from expecting to consistently compete for ACC championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and sustained success. I am confident that with the combined strength of the Institute and our incredible fanbase, as well as the support of our city, we can reach our shared goals.”

Required reading

(Photo: Bob Donnan / USA Today)

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