Contract details released for new UNLV basketball coach

Josh Pastner has signed a five-year, $4.8 million deal to be UNLV men’s basketball coach, according to the contract, obtained via a public records request.

Pastner will make $500,000 his first season, and his salary will jump to $1 million for his second and third seasons. His salary will increase to $1.15 million for his fourth and fifth seasons.

Pastner replaces the fired Kevin Kruger, who was scheduled to make $800,000 in the last two years of his deal. UNLV is paying Kruger a $2.35 million buyout.

If Pastner is fired before his contract is up, he will be owed 75 percent of the remaining money on his deal. However, he must make “reasonable and diligent efforts to obtain basketball-related employment,” and any money earned in another position would offset what UNLV owes him. Kruger had the same offset provision in his contract.

If Pastner leaves for another school, UNLV will be owed a buyout starting at $3 million in his first season and reducing by $250,000 each season until reaching $2 million in the final year of his deal.

Pastner went 276-187 in 14 seasons at Memphis and Georgia Tech with five NCAA Tournament appearances. He has served as an analyst at ESPN for the past two seasons.

‘A dream job’

Pastner will be introduced at a press conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Strip View Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack Center. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the event is open to the public.

Pastner, 47, called UNLV a “dream job” in a statement from a release by UNLV announcing his hiring.

“I am truly enthused about becoming the head coach of the Runnin’ Rebels,” Pastner said. “This has always been a dream job for me, and I fully recognize the significance of UNLV in the landscape of college basketball. The program holds great importance for both the Las Vegas community and the region, and I am eager to unite Rebel Nation with the goal of restoring the program to national prominence.”

UNLV athletic director Erick Harper said in the release that he has known Pastner for more than 20 years, dating to Pastner’s time as an assistant at Arizona (2002 to 2008). Harper served as the associate athletics director for football operations at Arizona from 2003 to 2011.

“He is a fearless and relentless recruiter with success as a head coach, and is also an exceptional communicator, deeply committed to engaging with the Las Vegas community,” said Harper in a statement. “Furthermore, Josh is committed to connecting with Runnin’ Rebel alumni, ensuring that everyone feels involved in the program’s success. We are confident that he will lead us to win championships and return the Runnin’ Rebels to the NCAA Tournament.”

Additional compensation

According to his contract, Pastner will receive an additional $25,000 if UNLV earns an at-large bit into the NCAA Tournament. The Rebels have not been to the NCAAs since 2013.

He’ll earn $10,000 for advancing in each round, $50,000 if UNLV reaches the Final Four and an additional $50,000 if the program wins a national championship.

Pastner has several other performance bonuses in his contract:

— $25,000 for winning or tying for the Mountain West regular-season championship.

— $25,000 for winning the Mountain West tournament championship.

— $25,000 for being named conference coach of the year or co-coach of the year.

— $50,000 for being named national coach of the year.

— $10,000 for winning 14 or more conference games.

— $5,000 for being ranked at any point during the season.

— $15,000 for being ranked in The Associated Press or ESPN Top 25 to finish the season.

— $15,000 for participating in the National Invitation Tournament and $35,000 for winning it.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.