Why Arizona Basketball Needs Josh Pastner To Save the Program

To fill out his coaching staff, Pastner would be wise to look at current assistant and former Wildcat player Reggie Geary. He will continue to rebuild the sense of family that once was Arizona Basketball as he is red and blue through and through.

Like Pastner, Geary is known for his recruiting abilities, and he has been the only coach on the recruiting trail this season for the ‘Cats.

The final assistant spot should go to former Wildcat assistant and Most Outstanding Player of the 1997 NCAA Tournament Miles Simon. Simon was ran off as part of the soap opera that was the fallout of Lute Olson’s retirement, but has proven both his recruiting abilities and zest for improving his players.

Simon was seen both early in the morning and late at night performing individual drills in the off-season at the student recreation center on campus while an assistant in Tucson.

Arizona now has the Richard Jefferson Practice Facility, which should only add to the list of recruiting talking points Pastner and his staff would have at their disposal.

Pastner is known throughout college circles for his recruiting wonders, and Geary is more than on his way down that path. Simon is a young assistant craving for another opportunity and Rosborough would bring stability to the program as Pastner goes over the expected bumps in the road.

Arizona would dominate west coast recruiting with Pastner and Geary, especially considering perhaps the most important reason to hire Pastner as head coach: former Arizona Wildcat players.

Pastner played with many Arizona greats, and was on the 1997 National Championship team. He would have the backing and support of all the former players.

The embarrassing handling of Olson’s retirement left the basketball program, and thus the athletic department which depends on its cash cow to pay for nearly every other sport, in shambles.

Under Olson, players came back to Tucson; they could be seen on campus during recruiting visits; they talked up the program when interviewed; they remained Wildcats.

Now I am not saying Arizona is on par with North Carolina or Kentucky in terms of history, but it is a top 10 program and it should use its pedigree to its advantage.

Former players know Pastner, and anyone would be hard pressed to find one that does not like him. Arizona would become a much more visible program nationally with the hiring of Pastner and the support of former players, and this fact simply cannot be overstated.

Pastner is the perfect fit for Arizona, and is hoping that you can go home again.

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