Pastner is Back in Different Kind of Spotlight

Former Georgia Tech men’s basketball head coach Josh Pastner still gathers a passel of adoring fans, especially while attending local Jewish events. At 47, along with some newly speckled silver hair, Pastner recreated himself as a studio commentator and analyst for Big Ten games on NBC Sports/Peacock Network, ESPN, Turner Sports and CBS Sports Network.

At Tech, starting in 2015, Josh was the 14th head basketball coach in the school’s history. In 2017, he was named Coach of the Year. In 2021, he won the ACC Tournament, first for Tech since 1993. Following two disappointing seasons, Pastner parted ways with the college in March 2023 as the fifth winningest coach in school history. He certainly was the only Jewish one.

A doting father, Pastner shared with the AJT about his post-coaching life. He said, “One of the great blessings of being let go at Georgia Tech was the opportunity to spend much more time with my wife and kids. My little son and I have bonded beyond belief. That has been absolutely awesome! I do think my wife and three daughters are ready for me to get a coaching job since they have said I’m at home way too much.” Pastner’s home was featured in the AJT Chai Style column (Feb 24, 2022).

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He describes his on-air job as breaking down the basketball games to add insight and enjoyment for viewers. He relayed, “Tune in most nights to a game and I’ll be on one of these stations.”

To prep for the new job, he studied many different TV analysts to glean their expertise in addition to getting feedback from producers, being open to criticism to improve, and asking a lot of questions. He noted, “I try to be as prepared as possible just like I was coaching a game. I’ve had to learn quickly and will continue to be open-minded and grow as I enter my second season of announcing.”

He claims to have earned more respect for being on the “other side” and how much preparation is required. “It takes quickness on your feet to get your thoughts out in a short amount of time with someone talking in your ear and then making sure you have the proper dismount when you need to get that thought expressed to the viewer,” he elaborated.

Transitions for someone operating at a warp speed job may take some unwinding. After coaching ended, he met a spin instructor at Lifetime Fitness who told him “He had a look of stress.”

Since that day in March of 2023, he enjoys that class as well as lifting weights and not eating late, leading to decreased stress. He mused, “The key will be once I get back into coaching, can I maintain this healthy lifestyle and not go back to the internal stress I put myself through every single day due to the desire to win every game for the university and the fans?”

Operative words, “getting back to coaching.” He had opportunities to get back into coaching in March of 2023 and March of 2024. He stated that he was not ready mentally or physically which leads to him to conclude, “Now I am fired up to lead a team again and even more focused and clear of my path to lead my third program to the NCAA tournament. The cycle will open again in March of 2025.”

He is open to moving cities and coaching women. He explained, “Location is not a deterrent. Now my family may differ on that response, however, that is the life of coaching, ready to pack up and go where the job takes you. I think the women’s game is big time! It’s on the rise. I would think it would be a great opportunity to lead a team in the WNBA.”

In terms of Judaism, Pastner summarized, “I am a proud Jew, I love being Jewish, and I try to stay connected to the Jewish community. And teach my children the importance of Judaism as much as I can. I admire Atlanta and the surrounding areas having such a strong Jewish community.”

What would Pastner’s parents boast about raising such an accomplished, focused son? “They would say ‘I never had a sip of alcohol, I never had a sip of soda, I never had a sip of coffee, I never have done a drug, and I don’t use any profanity.’”

Such a mensch!