Penny Hardaway’s Journey: From NBA Star to College Coaching Success
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — When your coach is a legend like Penny Hardaway, you know you’re in for a unique experience. Just ask Tyrese Hunter, a guard for the Memphis Tigers. During a pregame shootaround before their January game against Wichita State, Hardaway, a four-time NBA All-Star, was showing Hunter how to make a specific pass against a zone defense.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to get you to do,” Hardaway said, demonstrating the move. “You say, ‘No I can’t.’ Yes you can.”
This kind of encouragement is something the Tigers hear often from their coach. “His brain is through the roof,” Hunter told ESPN. “He sees plays and you don’t even know what happened. He sees stuff develop before it develops and it’s crazy.”
It’s not just the guards who benefit from Hardaway’s insights. Forward Nicholas Jourdain shared, “You’re dealing with someone whose mind is on the upper echelon. Perfection is what it’s all about. When someone’s able to see the game the way he sees it, it’s like, how did you not know to make that play?”
Despite his impressive NBA resume, Hardaway admits that his basketball IQ initially held him back when he started coaching at the college level. “I just thought it was going to be easier because I knew the game,” Hardaway told ESPN. “I knew the game at a high level … but what I didn’t know is how hard it was going to be to win any game on this level.”
Now in his seventh season as head coach, Hardaway is finding his stride. After missing the NCAA tournament last year, the Tigers are securely inside the AP Top 25 and on track for their best NCAA tournament seed since 2009.
Building a New Foundation
Hardaway’s success this season can be attributed to a complete overhaul of the roster, coaching staff, and administration. “I’m believing in what I do,” Hardaway said. This newfound confidence is a far cry from the early days of his coaching career when he was expected to turn Memphis into a talent hotbed almost overnight.
Back in 2019, Hardaway famously declared, “This is Memphis. We don’t bluff. We want all the smoke.” This bold statement reflected the high expectations placed on him as a Memphis native and former Tigers player. His early recruiting success, including landing the nation’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class, was impressive but didn’t translate to immediate on-court success.
Memphis didn’t make the NCAA tournament in Hardaway’s first three seasons, despite winning at least 20 games each year. Off-court drama, including NCAA investigations, added to the challenges. However, Hardaway eventually led the Tigers to the tournament as an 8-seed in 2022 and a 9-seed in 2023.
Turning the Tide
Last season, the Tigers started strong, reaching No. 10 in the AP poll, but their campaign unraveled, missing the postseason entirely. With only one NCAA tournament win in six seasons, Hardaway faced increasing pressure. The recruiting pipeline had dried up, and the team’s defensive identity had faded.
But Hardaway saw an opportunity for a fresh start. “Coach kind of told me that he wanted to recruit a certain type of guys,” Jourdain said. “Hardworking guys, really defensive guys. People to create something that matches his culture and what he wants his team to be.”
Hardaway focused on character and toughness, bringing in players like PJ Haggerty, Colby Rogers, and Tyrese Hunter. He also revamped his coaching staff, bringing in experienced coaches like Mike Davis and Nolan Smith.
- Focus on character and toughness
- Revamped coaching staff
- Emphasis on defense and culture
Memphis now boasts the best defense in the AAC, ranking inside the top 50 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. The team has also developed a strong culture, with players arriving on campus early and practicing harder than before.
Looking Ahead
Hardaway is determined to lead Memphis to the Sweet 16, a feat the program hasn’t achieved since 2009. The Tigers are currently sitting in the 4-5 range of ESPN’s latest Bracketology, with a collection of high-quality wins and offensive firepower.
“I’ve never wavered. I’ve never flinched. I’ve stayed the course,” Hardaway said. “I’ve taken so many punches, but I knew what I could do. I knew what we could do. It just makes me proud that I’ve overcome a ton.”
With a new culture, new staff, and new perspective, Penny Hardaway is finding success at Memphis, and the Tigers are poised for a deep tournament run.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
