Georgia Tech basketball coach Josh Pastner was like everyone else within the Tech athletic department when he found out that athletic director Mike Bobinski was leaving for Purdue – surprised.
“Obviously, I was caught off guard, but I’m very grateful that Mike gave me an opportunity to be the head coach here at Georgia Tech,” Pastner said. “He’s obviously going to do great. Purdue’s getting a great athletic director and a great human being. I know I’m going to miss him, but I’m happy for him if he feels it’s a good opportunity for him.”
Bobinski informed Pastner early Tuesday morning prior to the announcement at 9 a.m. Pastner worked closely with Bobinski from the time of his hire in April, particularly with the hiring of his coaching staff.
“I worked literally every day with him when I was going through the hiring process,” Pastner said. “We would talk 15 to 20 times daily.”
Pastner, relentlessly optimistic and positive by nature, betrayed no concerns about having to work with a new athletic director.
"Again, I'm sad that he's leaving, but I'm happy for him, because obviously it' something that he wanted to do," Pastner said. "But we've got a great president in President (G.P. "Bud") Peterson and I think he's one of the best in the country, and obviously, the facts back it up based on him being elected president of the NCAA board."
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