Josh Pastner is wasting no time assembling his coaching staff at UNLV. The former Georgia Tech and Memphis head coach, who recently took over the Rebels program, is set to hire Santa Clara’s Scott Garson as his associate head coach.
Pastner’s Mission to Revive UNLV Basketball
UNLV, once a powerhouse in college basketball, has struggled to regain its former glory. The Rebels have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2013 and have failed to reach the Sweet 16 since 2007.
Pastner takes over after Kevin Kruger’s tenure ended with a 76-55 record over four seasons, falling short of tournament aspirations. Pastner aims to bring a winning culture back to Las Vegas, and his first major staff hire signals his intent to build a strong foundation.
Sources: UNLV’s Josh Pastner will hire Santa Clara’s Scott Garson as an assistant coach.
Garson served as Associate Head Coach for the Broncos, who won 20 or more games in each of the past four seasons.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 29, 2025
Who is Scott Garson?
Garson will bring nearly three decades of coaching experience to the Rebels’ bench. He wrapped up his seventh season as an assistant at Santa Clara in 2024-25, where he played a key role in the program’s recent resurgence. Under his leadership, the Broncos achieved four consecutive 20-win seasons and made three NIT appearances, tying the most wins in four years in program history.
Before his tenure at Santa Clara, Garson held coaching positions at UCLA, where he helped guide the Bruins to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including three Final Fours. He also served as the head coach at the College of Idaho, posting an impressive 129-42 record. His extensive player development and recruiting background makes him a valuable asset for Pastner’s staff.
Garson’s Role at UNLV
Garson will serve as UNLV’s associate head coach, bringing his expertise in player development, game strategy, and recruiting. His track record of helping players reach the professional level, evidenced by back-to-back first-round NBA Draft picks from Santa Clara in 2022 and 2023, should boost UNLV’s ability to attract high-level talent.
Garson’s coaching philosophy aligns with Pastner’s, emphasizing up-tempo basketball, player growth, and disciplined defense. His presence should also help UNLV compete with the top programs in the Mountain West, a conference that continues to gain national recognition.
What This Means for UNLV’s Future
Pastner’s hiring of Garson is a strong statement of intent. With Garson’s experience, the Rebels gain a coach who has been part of winning programs at multiple levels. UNLV fans are eager for a return to prominence, and this hire suggests that Pastner is taking the necessary steps to put the program back on the map.
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As the Rebels prepare for the 2025-26 season, all eyes will be on how this new coaching staff reshapes the team. If Pastner and Garson can work their magic, UNLV might finally break its long NCAA Tournament drought and reestablish itself as a force in college basketball.
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