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Memphis Basketball: Tempering expectations for Penny Hardaway

By Holden Walter-Warner

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 15: Penny Hardaway attends the Sears Shooting Stars Competition 2014 as part of the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 15, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 15: Penny Hardaway attends the Sears Shooting Stars Competition 2014 as part of the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 15, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Tigers got their man in Penny Hardaway. Now it’s time to preach patience as he looks to rebuild the program.

The expected outcome has been achieved. After a short search, the Memphis Tigers found their next head coach in alum Penny Hardaway.

Rumors of a reunion began percolating a CBS Sports story several weeks ago. At the time, Tubby Smith still had a job, working towards a successful conclusion of just his second season with the program.

There was a groundswell of support for Hardaway to take over, though. Attendance was down and players were fleeing the program, leading to controversial comments from Smith.

Hardaway, on the other hand, was held aloft like a savior. A Memphis product who made it big in the NBA, he was out coaching a local high school and leading a team on the AAU circuit. An advancement to the college ranks made too much sense.

Now that he’s here, however, it’s time to take a step back and release there are challenges ahead. Hardaway has never coached above the high school ranks in any capacity. There’s an adjustment it will take him at least a year to make, as he learns how to recruit and how to handle the egos that reign at the NCAA level.

There’s also immediate work to be done on the recruiting trail. 247 Sports ranks Memphis’ 2018 class outside of the Top 100, with just one three-star recruit committing to the Tigers. Many of last year’s upperclassmen return – and Hardaway’s ties to high school players should pay dividends down the road – but next year might feature little new talent.

Penny Hardaway may very well infuse new energy into the Memphis program. He’s young, he’s excited, and he means something to the school.

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He needs more time than Tubby Smith received, though.