Mike White and the Florida Gators basketball team announced the addition of assistant coach Erik Pastrana to the staff on Monday morning.
Pastrana joins Florida following two seasons as an assistant and recruiting coordinator at Oklahoma State. He helped the Cowboys sign Naismith finalist and the potential No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham as a part of the No. 4 recruiting class in 2020.
“I am beyond excited to join one of the elite programs in all of college basketball,” Pastrana said. “Having grown up in Florida, I am fully aware of the tradition and passion that comes with being a part of Florida Basketball. I don’t take this opportunity lightly and can’t wait to help continue the success this university and its fans deserve.
A Miami native, Pastrana said it was going to have to be a very special situation for him to leave Stillwater. Returning to his home state to coach for the Gators was just that situation.
Prior to OSU, he worked under former Florida assistant Dusty May at Florida Atlantic. He also assisted at Florida International and gained a season of head coaching experience at Daytona State College.
His 14-year career started as a graduate assistant at Kansas State from 2007-09, where the Wildcats finished with multiple 20-win seasons in that span.
“We’re really excited about Erik joining the Florida program,” White said. “He has a proven track record, coaching and recruiting at a high level everywhere he’s been and will be a great fit with our team and our staff.”
The Gators will now look to fill one more assistant coaching slot this offseason to replace Jordan Mincy and Darris Nichols.