Arizona Basketball: 6 candidates to replace Sean Miller as head coach

Josh Pastner

Throughout these past few decades, there has been plenty of talent, both players and coaches who have passed through Arizona on the staffs of Olsen and Miller. It’s not a surprise that one of those former aides is now a successful head coach in his own right, but would Pastner really leave an ACC gig to return home to Arizona?

Pastner played under Olson just before the turn of the century and joined the coaching staff a few years later. He would eventually move on to Memphis and succeeded John Calipari as the Tigers’ head coach. Pastner spent seven years in Memphis before taking the Georgia Tech job in 2016. His best success came this past season, leading the Yellow Jackets to an unexpected ACC Tournament championship and getting them back to the NCAA Tournament.

Perhaps on the hot seat earlier this year, Pastner clearly endeared himself to the Yellow Jackets fanbase again, but does that mean he wouldn’t jump at a chance to lead the Wildcats? There’s also reason to wonder how successful Pastner would be back in Arizona when he hasn’t exactly lit things up with Memphis and Georgia Tech. Still, he’s a solid candidate with Arizona connections whose stock has never been higher than right now.