Former Rebel returns home: Justin Hawkins joins Pastner's UNLV staff

UNLV guard Justin Hawkins sails in for a dunk against Boise State Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won the game 68-64. Photo by: Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Former UNLV basketball player Justin Hawkins is returning to his alma mater as part of head coach Josh Pastner’s first coaching staff.

Hawkins, who played for UNLV from 2009-13 and served as team captain for two years, joins the program after spending the past three seasons coaching with instate rival UNR. 

The Rebels haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2013 — Hawkins’ senior season, when he played in a fourth consecutive tournament with UNLV.

His coaching journey began locally at Liberty High School before moving into collegiate coaching at University of the Pacific for six years and then UNR.

The staff, which the university announced today, also includes associate head coach Scott Garson, who comes to UNLV after seven seasons at Santa Clara. 

Garson’s résumé includes a five-year stint as head coach at College of Idaho, where he compiled a 129-42 record with three conference championships and a Final Four appearance.

Anthony Wilkins rounds out the assistant coaching staff, coming from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley after previously working with Pastner at Georgia Tech for five seasons. 

The staff also includes Hayden Sheridan as director of strategy and analytics, who previously served as Georgia Tech’s director of scouting and video coordinator for seven seasons, and DeShawn Henry, who continues as director of basketball operations after six seasons.

“This coaching staff brings a diverse range of experiences and skills that will be critical for our program’s growth and success,” Pastner said. “Their energy and tireless work ethic will be key as we continue to construct our roster and prepare for the 2025-26 season and beyond.”