By Craig Degel
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 30, 1997

Pastner: 'I want us to be the hardest working team in America'

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona guard Josh Pastner (left) is learning to be a coach while playing at Arizona. He is also learning to handle dunks like this one from Bennett Davison

Second in a continuing series

Not that statisticians keep track of such things, but if a ratio of television time to actual playing time was charted, UA basketball guard Josh Pastner would be the NCAA record holder.

Whenever Arizona called a timeout last season, Pastner, then a freshman, was the first guy off the bench slapping hands and yelling encouragement. To the common observer, Pastner's impression was that of nothing more than an enthusiastic bench warmer.

But his teammates and the coaching staff knew something that the rest of the country, or even the fans in Tucson, did not.

"He is an invaluable member of this team," Arizona assistant coach Jim Rosborough said. "What Josh wants to do is coach, and this is a good apprenticeship for him."

That makes Pastner the only on-scholarship coach in the nation.

Pastner was so important to the team, that he has been given a full scholarship for the rest of his career. Last year was to have been his only year on scholarship, but now, thanks to his work ethic and coaching contributions, he doesn't have to spend a dime on his education.

"It's a dream come true," Pastner said. "I'm thankful for everyday that I'm here."

Since the age of eight, all Pastner has wanted to do is coach basketball. Not many fourth graders spend their time at lectures on coaching, watching film and reading books but Pastner did. While most kids idolized guys with names like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, Pastner was looking up to guys like Rick Pitino, Dean Smith and Mike Kryzewski. Oh, Lute Olson, too.

As a high school senior, Pastner ran a team composed of seven of the top players in the country. All are now in college ball.

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat Josh Pastner (left) shares a moment with Mike Bibby at a recent scrimmage at the Student Rec Center.

"Half the team was older than him," said Pastner's father Hal. "He was the general manager and the coach and he had the respect of everyone on that team."

Now, Pastner is helping the defending national champions keep their place among the country's elite. They are not allowed to practice with coaches until Oct. 17 so he organizes shoot-arounds and clinics with players and always stays after their daily scrimmages to help the whole team with shooting technique.

He is Arizona's E.F. Hutton, but it hasn't always been that way.

"I thought he was some weirdo," Arizona forward Michael Dickerson said. "Who was he telling veterans what to do? But he knows what he is doing. He's always helping me with the technical aspects of my shot."

Consider that Dickerson averaged a team-high 18.5 points a game last year and it becomes clear that indeed Pastner does know what he's talking about. Even if his natural ability is not on par with other members of the Wildcat team, Pastner is making an obvious contribution.

"There is no question that Josh realizes he isn't the greatest player ever born," Rosborough said. "But every guy from Miles Simon to Michael Dickerson realizes how valuable a team member he is."

That's high praise for Pastner who when he speaks of Arizona often sounds like a sweepstakes winner.

"It makes me feel super, words can't describe it," he said. "I just want to thank the players for giving me the opportunity."

Pastner certainly has a lot to be thankful for, namely the scholarship and the NCAA championship ring he'll get with the rest of the team at halftime of the UA-San Diego State football game on Saturday.

So with his future at Arizona secure, Pastner can get down to business as Arizona makes another run at the Final Four. And if he has anything to do with it, UA will be the James Brown of the NCAA.

"You have to work hard to succeed," he said. "I want us to be the hardest working team in America."