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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 20, 2006
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It was announced that Miles Simon will not be returning next year as an assistant. This probably doesn't come as a surprise to most, and infact it shouldn't. While I like Miles Simon, it was never apparent what he brought to the table for the team.
- O'neill was the clown whose biggest joke was that he was brought in to shore up the defense and didn't.
- Pastner is an incredible basketball mind and does a great job recruiting and working with the big men. The growth of Jordan Hill is a huge testament to him.
- Miles Simon...? Recruiting ploy? I dunno.
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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I love it when they schools say "his contract won't be renewed"... aka you're fired
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 20, 2007
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I'd mentioned a few days ago that our staff was going to look A LOT different next year. Lute's really going to have to work hard to keep Pastner now, not because of the departures of KO and Simon, but because Pastner is a hot commodity right now. We all know he turned down an opportunity at Kentucky last year, and he's being pursued again this year (had already met with Marquette, is meeting with another school, or schools, now). If we can hold onto Pastner, I think next year's staff will be outstanding, especially if they land Mike Dunlap, as I expect them to.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 20, 2007
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By the way, the school that's currently going (hard) after Pastner is Memphis. Pastner is friends with World Wide Wes (WWW), and if you know anything about him, you know how influential he is (or can be). If you don't know anything about World Wide Wes, Google him.
This is, without a doubt, the hardest Lute's had to work during the offseason since he took the reins at UA. If he can hold on to Pastner, Budinger and Wise, it will also have been the best job he's done, IMO.
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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Hosh, I agree completely... at least the hardest he's had to work since maybe the 80's when he was trying to turn the program around... good points...I don't know if Josh would leave though... I think U of A is a better job than Memphis and he's a wildcat, not a tiger... what you think?? Worldwide wes is probably the most influential/powerful person in college bball (maybe sports lltogether) and if anyone could do it, he could
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 20, 2007
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I think U of A is a better job than Memphis and he's a wildcat, not a tiger...
It's true he's a wildcat, but I think he's gone... He's ambitious and talented, and he's not going anywhere fast at UA. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him take the Memphis job.
That would open up another assistant position, and I think we could see a familiar face fill that spot...
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 16, 2006
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If he's offered a position on Memphis' staff he should take it. I love what Pastner has done with the big men and, from an outsider's point of view, he seems like a talented young coach. Moving to another recognizable program would only open other doors for him -- like you said, Hosh -- more quickly. Seeing as how I've long proclaimed a selfish desire to have him or Kerr take over the program some day, I think this would only speed up the opportunity of that happening. Ideally I'd like to see him go somewhere with a style that varies more from the one he's studied under for so long, but it will still probably give him a better first head coaching opportunity than if he went for one straight from Arizona. It would certainly hurt Arizona's immediate staff, though.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 13, 2008
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Why would Pastner go to Memphis to work under a younger head coach in John Calipari? He's got the same position at Arizona with a chance to expand his role. He could even work himself into a spot where he could take over for Lute in three years.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 20, 2007
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My thoughts...
- He's not being given an opportunity at UA. Despite the turnover of the staff, he's not been promoted to AHC.
- He'd be able to add to his resume. He'd be able to say that he learned under Lute Olson and John Calipari.
- As much as we don't want to admit it, Memphis may be the more compelling job right now. UA is in turmoil right now and Memphis is coming off of a championship game loss. And, Memphis has been a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament for the last three years.
- Calipari has been successful everywhere he's been and there's nothing to suggest that his success won't continue. With Memphis, Josh would have a chance to be part of another title in the next few years. If Budinger doesn't return, we're not even going to sniff a # seed or a national title in the next few years.
- Josh could always return to UA as a head coach in the future. Leaving now does not eliminate him from consideration in the future.
I want him to stay as much as anybody, but I do think there are a number of compelling reasons for him to take another opportunity. If nothing else, this lights a fire under UA's ass to do what they need to do to keep him around.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 20, 2006
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The biggest reason why Arizona needs to hang onto Pastner at least for this year is because of his recruiting and ability to teach the big men. Arizona has had two top 10 recruiting classes back-to-back, and will need to get a third if they hope to be a marketable team. Why? Because the guys that make their recruiting class in the top 10 s the guys that are one-and-done. The remaing guys are all projects who with some experience will be very serviceable.
The other component to Pastner's vitality for UA is his ability to coach the bigs. Look at what he has done with Jordan Hill. With freshmen like Withey, Negedu, and red-shirt Frosh Jacobson, Arizona has a huge amount of potetial in the front court. These guys are going to need a lot of work to be as good as Arizona will need them to be if hey hope to make a solid run throughout the season. (Especially in the tournament)
Despite the interest in other programs to talk with Pastner, it doesn't seem like he's ready to jump ship yet. He's still recruiting, still working hard for the program, and it seems like the assistants that are being brought it will only fill roles that he is not already fulfilling. It appears that Olson is primming Pastner to become a great coach giving him as many opportunities as possible.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 16, 2006
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I agree with everything you said, Hosh, except that I think Arizona could reasonably compete for a title again in 2010 if they land Jeremy Tyler and add a couple more pieces between now and then. It wouldn't be impossible if they do well this coming season. But everything else you say is spot-on. Memphis is the better job right now, and it would add to his resume and further the possibility of him coming back as head coach in the future. For anyone that wants to see Pastner roaming the sidelines someday at McKale, you should probably be in support of him making this move. He won't go straight from Olson's bench to the head coaching position.
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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i'd be curious to know what the pay difference is in those 2 jobs...no doubt Memphis is a good job, its just too bad they play in that horrific conference...
I agree Cal has been successful everyone he's gone... except the NBA...;)... but how many college coaches are successful in the NBA... actually he was probably more successful than others... he did take the Nets to the playoffs in the 90's. he is the reason Memphis is a good job
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 16, 2006
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Calipari makes a lot more than Olson does. Olson makes just over $700,000 in base salary per year. My guess is that Pastner wouldn't leave for another coaching position without a pay upgrade, and I'm sure that's what Memphis would offer.
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