Those who know him best: Josh Pastner’s work ethic unrivaled

UNLV basketball coach Josh Pastner opens his second season Tuesday against Northern Arizona with a clear goal: return the Runnin' Rebels to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013. Pastner acknowledges the sport has changed dramatically with the transfer portal and NIL deals, but says adaptation is the only option. "You either adapt and wear loose-fit clothing and be willing to change and make real-time decisions on the fly or otherwise you're going to get left behind," Pastner said. "If you have any negativity or complaining or a 'woe is me' attitude, it won't work, especially in today's climate."

Those who mentored Pastner early in his career say his relentless work ethic gives UNLV its best chance. Jim Rosborough, a longtime associate head coach under Lute Olson at Arizona, oversaw Pastner as a player on the Wildcats' 1997 national championship team and later as an assistant. "I had him on my hip up in the film room with me," Rosborough said. "I'd be in my car and have to roll my window down because he'd be there with some sort of question. He was always there trying to learn." Rosborough compares Pastner's commitment to the 24-7 grind described by Nick Saban upon retirement, calling him a "relentless recruiter" who never stops.

Pastner, 49, says he would have pursued law enforcement — possibly a SWAT team — if not for coaching. He nearly joined the police academy reserves in Tucson before an assistant role opened on John Calipari's staff at Memphis. His father, Hal Pastner, founder of the Houston Hoops youth program for 38 years, knew his son's path early. "Not as much as being a coach, but I knew he would be in the game of basketball his whole life," Hal Pastner said. "That's what he told me then. I remember it was time to go into another sports season — soccer or something else — and he said, 'No Dad, I only want to do basketball. Nothing else.'"

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal