Candidates to Replace Rick Ray as Mississippi State Head Coach

Josh Pastner

Mar 8, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Memphis Tigers head coach Josh Pastner talks to his team during a timeout during the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Pastner, the 37-year old Memphis head coach, should also be taken into consideration as the next Bulldog head coach. The sixth-year head coach has accomplished a record of 148-58 (.718), and has taken the Tigers as far as the NCAA Round of 32 (2013). That 2013 season saw the Tigers accomplish a perfect 16-0 conference record, and a 31-5 overall record.

Though Pastner is feeling the heat from Memphis Tigers fans due to his performance, maybe expectations were too high for the coach following former head coach John Calipari, who Pastner was an assistant under. Pastner currently is earning $1.7 million per year, which is definitely not out of the realm of possibilities for the Mississippi State University budget.