Georgia Tech parted ways with head basketball coach Josh Pastner on Friday.
Pastner’s future had been the subject of speculation for days. The Yellow Jackets finished their season with a 15-18 record, ending Wednesday night with an 89-81 loss to Pittsburgh in the ACC Tournament’s second round.
Afterward, a reporter asked Pastner whether he expected to return for an eighth season in Atlanta.
“I hope to be at Georgia Tech,” Pastner said (via the AP). “I love Georgia Tech. I love my job. I have a real passion for it, and I believe in it.”
Athletic director J Batt confirmed Pastner’s exit in a statement Friday afternoon. He called Pastner an “incredible ambassador” for the program, but added, “It is imperative that men’s basketball achieves a greater level of success.”
Assistant coach Anthony Wilkins will serve as interim head coach.
Georgia Tech AD J Batt confirms they have moved on from Josh Pastner.
“It is imperative that men’s basketball achieves a greater level of success,” Batt says in this statement ⬇️
Also says Anthony Wilkins will serve as interim head coach. pic.twitter.com/fwXV1w3kvy
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) March 10, 2023
Pastner finishes his tenure at Georgia Tech with a 109-114 record, with only one NCAA Tournament appearance, a first-round exit in 2021. Before arriving in Atlanta, Pastner posted a 167-73 mark in seven seasons at Memphis.
Batt, who has only been the AD at Tech since late October, will have another chance to put his imprint on the program. He already hired Brent Key as head football coach during his short tenure.
Some college basketball fans and Georgia Tech faithful applauded the move, while others thought Pastner did about as well as could be expected.
The right person could really resurrect that place. They had phenomenon teams at GT back in the early 90’s.
— Joe Wagner (@Joe865TN) March 10, 2023
Too bad. Really nice man.
— John Silver (@JohnFSilver) March 10, 2023
He did the best he could with high academic restrictions and one of of the smallest budgets in the ACC. He’s a good coach and a great guy.
— Lake Toho Man (@bigtimehoo1) March 10, 2023
Can’t believe they did this. I now hope Georgia Tech loses every basketball game for the rest of eternity
— Conference Commandos (@ConfCommandos) March 10, 2023
Very sad news. I love Josh Pastner. I was hoping the late-season surge would buy him one more year. Apparently not. Georgia Tech has been cleaning house. AD, football coach, and men’s basketball coach all fired in less than a six-month span. #ACCMBB #ACCTourney #TogetherWeSwarm https://t.co/M0w3AKb7pz
— Daniel Burapavong 🎮 (@TD2timeMVP) March 10, 2023
Never forget when Josh Pastner doubled as Georgia Tech's coach and your mom's dentist performing a root canal in his spare time. pic.twitter.com/GBmxuxOwTJ
— Kevin Rogers (@VIROGERS) March 10, 2023
