Pastner most recently coached at Georgia Tech, going 109-114 from 2016-23, ending with losing records in each of his final two seasons. But Pastner did have some success, leading the Yellow Jackets to the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title and NCAA Tournament in 2021. He also was the ACC Coach of the Year in 2017 after going 21-16.

Pastner is the second high-profile coach UNLV athletic director Erick Harper has hired away from ESPN. Former Florida coach Dan Mullen returned to college coaching in December when he was hired by UNLV after Barry Odom left for Purdue. Mullen had spent three years doing games and studio shows for ESPN.

UNLV is in the process of hiring former Memphis basketball coach Josh Pastner as its new head coach, according to multiple reports.