CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami head men’s basketball coach Jai Lucas announced Tuesday that he has hired Erik Pastrana as associate coach.
Pastrana, a Miami native, joins the Hurricanes after spending the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Georgia, playing a pivotal role in the Bulldogs’ improved success over the last three years.
The Bulldogs recorded 20-win seasons in two of the three years Pastrana was on staff and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015 this past season. Pastrana coached a pair of SEC All-Freshman Team honorees in Asa Newell (2025) and Silas Demary Jr. (2024).
“Erik is someone I have always wanted to have on my staff,” Lucas said. “His work ethic, communication skills and ability to build relationships with the players will be crucial to our program’s success. To bring him home to South Florida was a no brainer.”
Pastrana’s previous Division I stops include Oklahoma State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Stephen F. Austin. During his tenure at Stephen F. Austin, the Lumberjacks produced three straight Southland Players of the Years and made three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
