Memphis rewards Pastner, McFerrin with contract extensions

Mar 27, 2012 - 9:23 PM Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - The University of Memphis signed men's head basketball coach Josh Pastner and women's head basketball coach Melissa McFerrin to one-year contract extensions on Tuesday.

Both coaches will remain in Memphis through the 2016-17 season.

Pastner guided the Tigers to a 26-9 record this season and a second- consecutive C-USA Tournament title. But Saint Louis beat Memphis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

In three seasons, Pastner has led the Tigers to a 75-29 record and three league titles (regular season and tournament combined).

McFerrin led the women's team to a 25-8 mark this season and a second- consecutive WNIT invitation.

She has guided the Tigers to a 77-53 record in four seasons as head coach.

"We are very pleased with the efforts of our basketball coaches this past season," Memphis director of athletics R.C. Johnson said. "The men's program won both the Conference USA regular season title and C-USA Tournament Championship and played in the NCAA Regional, while our women's program placed second in the conference regular season race and received a postseason bid to the WNIT.

"Given the future direction and status of the Tiger programs, we fully expect both of our teams to continue to grow and excel not only on the court, but in the classroom as well," Johnson continued. "We have received great leadership from both Josh and Melissa, and the emphasis they place on academics helps us ensure that our student-athletes will continue to graduate above the national average."