The University of Arizona at Memphis is now complete!
↵With the hiring of Luke Walton to become an assistant coach, the Memphis Tigers now have three coaches who all played at Arizona in the 1990's and 2000's. Josh Pastner, the second year head coach of the program, has brought on both Damon Stoudamire and Walton to his staff for the upcoming season. Walton will remain a coach until the NBA lockout ends.
↵If Wildcat fans ever questioned Pastner's loyalties to the program, they can effectively be ended today. The guy loved the university and his fellow players, both past and present. He nearly went for the trifecta with the hiring of Miles Simon earlier in the off-season, but decided to look in the direction of a coach with a little more experience.
↵Walton, who has struggled to stay healthy since coming to the NBA, could elect to continue his basketball career as a permanent coach should he enjoy working at the college level. He certainly has the family ties to the game and is financially set.
↵This move should only prompt the two universities to set up a series of games between the teams. One could only imagine the reception the former-players would receive if Memphis came to McKale.
↵Best of luck, Luke. We'll be looking for you in a few months.
↵For more on this intriguing story, visit AZ Desert Swam.