The Front Row: An entirely new staff

SO LONG, JOSH: It’s official. Nobody who coached the Arizona Wildcats last season will be back this year.

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, highly regarded recruiter Josh Pastner took a job on John Calipari’s staff at Memphis.

The young and energetic Pastner was responsible for bringing in most of Arizona’s top-flight recruits and will fit in nicely with Calipari’s approach.

However, the fact that Pastner — a former UA player with strong ties to the community — would willfully leave Arizona in order to pursue a better opportunity should signal that Arizona’s program simply isn’t as strong as it once was.

Even the most optimistic Wildcat fan would have to admit it at this point.

Losing respected assistants/recruiters like Pastner after the events of last season is not a step in the right direction. What will his departure do to Arizona’s future recruiting efforts?

Former Denver Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap will likely slide into Kevin O’Neill’s former role as his right-hand man, but his job will be much more difficult without Pastner around.

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RIDE OF SILENCE: Next Wednesday, Southern Arizona cyclists will gather at East Center to take part in the area’s fifth “Ride of Silence.”

Green Valley is a terrific cycling community.

Each member of this community isn’t simply pedaling a two-wheeled vehicle. He or she belongs to a larger whole — a group that goes out of its way to make sure fellow members are safe and sound.

I’ve seen two of these rides in person, and it is an awe-inspiring sight to see dozens of cyclists silently paying tribute to those members they have lost in the most fitting way possible.

Check Sunday’s Green Valley News for a full “Ride of Silence” preview.

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SHOW ME THE MONEY: In the least-surprising story of 2008, it appears as if OJ Mayo might have taken a few, um, gifts during his time as an "amateur" basketball player.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mayo certainly isn't the only college or high school basketball player accepting gifts from agents, and he definitely won't be the last.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747