Coach Pastner is the first coach in my life who I can ever remember thanking his assistant coaches on national television after a victory. And I have been watching sports for about 30 years.

Think about it.

On Thursday during a 20 second interview after the Louisville win on ESPN, of all the things he could have said, he made sure to thank his assistant coaches. I actually think that's kind of remarkable. I used to be really cynical about people who acted this way. I always thought they were just putting on an act. But I am a big golf fan and I remember hearing someone say about Phil Mickelson that he is a just a big fake. But someone responded to that by saying, "Well even if you are a fake, if all you do is treat people with kindness and charity, then that is what you become." I think I really agree with that. I believe that even if you are faking it, if all you ever do is treat people right, then that is who you become."

Now, I admit I get mad when we lose or are losing. And I shout out the most horrific things, that I probably could be prosecuted for in many states.

But Pastner seems to be killing me with his good will. To alter a quote from a movie. He, "Makes me want to be a better fan."

We are lucky to have him; he has done a great job from day one.

Many here have their beefs. That's fine. That goes on at every program. Aside from coaching, the job he has done representing the U and keeping us recognizable is beyond reproach. Life after Cal could easily have been several years of misery. He hasn't allowed that to happen. He took the ball and ran with it. Son of a gun.

He may not be all polished and glitzy, but he always makes me proud to be fan of the Memphis Tigers!!

And to think. Just a week ago, many wanted to run him out of town. Let the Tigers lose another game and that will again be the topic of most conversations.

(01-12-2014 01:38 AM)Sheldon Cooper Wrote:  And to think. Just a week ago, many wanted to run him out of town. Let the Tigers lose another game and that will again be the topic of most conversations.

Those who want him run out of town have been lifelong Tiger fans....going all the way back to 2006....

(01-12-2014 01:50 AM)transitt Wrote:  

(01-12-2014 01:38 AM)Sheldon Cooper Wrote:  And to think. Just a week ago, many wanted to run him out of town. Let the Tigers lose another game and that will again be the topic of most conversations.

Those who want him run out of town have been lifelong Tiger fans....going all the way back to 2006....

Yep. The shelf-life for many so called life-long fans comes with an expiration date. Generally that date happens to coincide with the next loss. So it's really wins they are fans of not the university.

Of all things to say is "remarkable", I don't think thanking your staff is one of them. I've heard many coaches say that in the past (and no, I can't give you specific examples because I never thought it was noteworthy). It's remarkable that he is so responsive to the fans, that he donated $250K to the university, that he does so much in the community, etc, etc.

Pastner is a fantastic ambassador for the university, but I'm not going to go overboard just because he gave a shout out to Aki and the crew.

(01-12-2014 01:24 AM)TigerTitan Wrote:  He may not be all polished and glitzy, but he always makes me proud to be fan of the Memphis Tigers!!

He is the opposite of polished and glitzy. He is a serious dork. But once you get past that, it becomes part of his charm.

After all the hoorah about Josh needing to bring in some "experienced x's and o's guys" to help him on the bench, it appears he has done so. Recognizing them is classy, and less common than it ought to be.

(01-12-2014 12:39 AM)Stammers Wrote:  We are lucky to have him; he has done a great job from day one.

If anyone disagrees with this, it says more about them than Pastner. We are lucky to have him.

(01-12-2014 09:06 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(01-12-2014 01:24 AM)TigerTitan Wrote:  He may not be all polished and glitzy, but he always makes me proud to be fan of the Memphis Tigers!!

He is the opposite of polished and glitzy. He is a serious dork. But once you get past that, it becomes part of his charm.

He is a very cute serious dork
Kidding, I love Josh and very very happy to have him as out BB coach.

As happy as most of us are to have him, he appears to sincerely feel the same way about the Tigers.

I ... he ... but ... if ... so pig headed ... what's he doing ... what's he say ... I can't believe he ...

damn ... he might be one of my kids. If he don't. stop ... that's it ... he's grounded.

I have thought he was the perfect guy from day 1. Adds credence to the old adage that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile. RC screw up a lot of things, but this hire is not one of them.

remos

(01-12-2014 10:47 AM)Pressed Rat Wrote:  I have thought he was the perfect guy from day 1. Adds credence to the old adage that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile. RC screw up a lot of things, but this hire is not one of them.

It seems to me, that coach Pastner is perfect for the U of M. He is exactly what we need. A young coach who can relate to the players. Someone who stresses the importance of education, first and foremost. Someone who teaches respect for others. And lastly, someone who actually practices what he preaches! As a basketball coach, he's only going to get better. But as an ambassador of the U of M, we couldn't have chosen a finer man. Especially after Cal.

I have had my critical moments with pastner but I will give him this - I've seen incredible growth from him in the past year. He's getting there

(01-12-2014 09:06 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(01-12-2014 01:24 AM)TigerTitan Wrote:  He may not be all polished and glitzy, but he always makes me proud to be fan of the Memphis Tigers!!

He is the opposite of polished and glitzy. He is a serious dork. But once you get past that, it becomes part of his charm.

I'm also a serious dork, so of course I'm happy to have him. Dorks represent!

(01-12-2014 09:06 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(01-12-2014 01:24 AM)TigerTitan Wrote:  He may not be all polished and glitzy, but he always makes me proud to be fan of the Memphis Tigers!!

He is the opposite of polished and glitzy. He is a serious dork. But once you get past that, it becomes part of his charm.

That's been true of many of the greatest coaches of our time.

History says when you follow a coach like Cal your future includes being fired. He has far succeeded what most would considering all the circumstances. He doesn't get NEAR the credit he deserves. In my eyes it's one of the best jobs done by a new head coach in many many years.