Dave Pastorkovich is in his 41st year as an assistant basketball coach and his 13th as an assistant coach for Thiel's men's basketball team in 2022-23.
This is Pastorkovich’s third stint under head coach Tim Loomis. He and Loomis previously worked together at California University of Pennsylvania from 1982-84. During that time Loomis’ 1984-85 team won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title and received an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
At Thiel, Pastorkovich has been instrumental in recruiting top players such as Eric Mallinger, Khari Bess and Luke Kochka. Mallinger ranks second in program history in career leader in blocks (145). He was an All-PAC Second Team pick in 2013-14 and an honorable mention selection in 2014-15. Bess was an All-PAC First Team selection in 2015-16, All-PAC Second Team selection in 2014-15 and an honorable mention pick in 2013-14. He led the NCAA (all divisions) in steals per game (3.70) in 2013-14, which set a new school record. Kochka was key contributor and consistent starter for three seasons. He averaged 17.5 points per game during his senior season in 2015-16.
Prior to arriving at Thiel, Pastorkovich spent 17 seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Carnegie Mellon University. During his time with the Tartans, Pastorkovich recruited 33 all-conference performers and seven 1,000-point scorers.
Pastorkovich’s recruiting efforts paid huge dividends from 2004-09. During this time period, Carnegie Mellon won one University Athletic Association (UAA) title, made two NCAA Tournament appearances, three ECAC Tournament appearances and won one ECAC South title. The Tartans also defeated Division I Princeton University during the 2005-06 season.
In August of 2005, Pastorkovich took a group of Division I players to participate in an international tournament in Bormeo, Italy. With players from the MAC, Atlantic 10, Ivy League and the Big East, the team finished tournament play with a 3-1 record.
Pastorkovich also served as an assistant at Virginia Wesleyan College. His high school background includes head coaching jobs at Quaker Valley, South Fayette and Mars.
Pastorkovich recently retired from the Montour School District, but continues to teach youths as a remedial reading specialist. A native of Belle Vernon, Pa., he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1982. He received a master’s degree in education/reading special certificate from California University of Pennsylvania in 1984.
