Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway has agreed to be the next coach at the University of Memphis, ESPN reported on Monday. The hire comes less than a week after Memphis fired Tubby Smith after two seasons on the job.
Hardaway’s East High School Mustangs took home the Tennessee state title Saturday, and Hardaway walked to his next chapter. He will be a first-time college coach at his alma mater.
Memphis averaged 6,000 fans at games this season, the lowest in more than 40 years. Over the weekend, Hardaway said he could not speak badly about Smith but said attendance was an issue for Memphis basketball.
“They showed up when I was there,” Hardaway said.
Hardaway is originally from the Binghampton neighborhood. He attended Treadwell High School and averaged more than 36 points per game.
He played for the Memphis Tigers from 1991 to 1993. Although he had to sit out from 1990-91 because of academic ineligibility, he scored 1,319 points in his career, the 17th-highest of any Tiger. He was the leading scorer for Memphis in 1991-92 with 590 points and holds the record for most field goal attempts as a sophomore. The following season he was the top scorer and set the record for points in a season as a junior at 729 points. That number is the second-best record for the most points in a season in Memphis history.
He holds the record for most three points made in a sophomore season. He has the 10th-most field goals made and attempted in Memphis history.
Hardaway was the third draft pick in 1993. Although Golden Sate drafted him, he was traded to Orlando for No. 1 overall pick Chris Webber. While there, he played alongside Shaquille O’Neal. In those six seasons, he averaged about 19 points per game. After his time with the Magic, he also played for the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Miami Heat before retiring in 2008.
Hardaway coached Dez Merriweather’s Lester Middle School team in 2011 while Merriweather underwent cancer treatment. Hardaway has been the head coach at East High School since 2015. His team won their third straight state title Saturday. His players have been recruited nationally.
Although Hardaway has no former coaching experience at the college level, some say Hardaway’s Tigers should see early success.
“He is a hell of a coach,” Jon Bell, former sports editor of The Daily Helmsman, said. “He has definitely proven himself in the AAU and high school ranks, and he seems to be gathering a solid staff with experience … This just gives the fans and the program something to look forward to. The potential for tournament runs does not seem far off.”
The U of M has not made a formal announcement regarding Hardaway. However, the university has said they will introduce a basketball coach Tuesday morning. The coach introduction will happen at the Laurie Walton Center, and the public is invited to attend.
Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway brings the ball up court for the Tigers. Hardaway led the Tigers to an Elite 8 appearance in 1992.
Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway onlooks the action. Hardaway played for the Tigers from 1991-93.
