By: Tyler Ward
The Tigers rewarded head basketball coach Josh Pastner with a five-year extension that will keep in Memphis until the 2015-16 season.
The university said Tuesday that the extension is worth approximately $1.7 million per season.
Pastner was hired last year to take over for John Calipari, arguably the best coach in Memphis Tigers basketball history. Memphis, under a new regime, went 24-10 in Pastner's first season and successfully earned a berth in the annual NIT tournament.
This season, with junior Wesley Witherspoon and freshman Will Barton, the Tigers went 25-9 in the regular season, earning a spot in the NCAA championship tournament. The Tigers faced the Arizona Wildcats in the opening round of the tournament, but exited early and losing, 77-75.
With Pastner secured, the Tigers are hoping to return to their best form after being considered a top-tier team throughout the decade.
Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson says Pastner is "an outstanding coach and recruiter".
"We have everything we need to be successful and build championship-caliber teams. From a modern arena, to a great practice facility, to one of the strongest fan bases in the nation, to an outstanding recruiting area, Tiger basketball is one of the top five programs in the country and should always remain at that elite level," he said.
