Josh Pastner to remain with Memphis Tigers

Josh Pastner will remain in Memphis. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Despite rumors that the Memphis Tigers' Josh Pastner might be heading to USC, it appears that the head coach has decided to remain in his current role with the team.

Jason Smith, Tigers beat reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal, and Gary Parrish of CBS Sports, tweeted Tuesday afternoon that the head coach has reached a deal in principle to remain with the school. Pastner, who replaced John Calipari in 2009 as head coach of the Tigers, would not immediately confirm the terms of the contract extension. In March 2011, he signed a a five-year deal worth $8.7 million to stay in Memphis.

Pastner, who has taken Memphis to three NCAA tournaments in four years, told CBS Sports that he loves "Tiger Nation" and has aways been committed to the team:

"I love Memphis. I love my president, Dr. Shirley Raines. I love my athletic director, Tom Bowen. I love Tiger Nation. And I love my team. My focus has always been on Memphis."

Pastner, also rumored to be a candidate for UCLA's head coaching job after the school let go of Ben Howland recently, said he was never offered the job at USC.

https://twitter.com/GaryParrishCBS/status/316614915743969280