Penny Hardaway returns to Memphis for 9th season
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- Penny Hardaway will return for his ninth season as Memphis basketball coach, presenting a plan to administration that includes coaching staff changes and the hiring of a general manager.
- Memphis finished 13-19, capped by a seven-game losing streak before a regular-season finale win at Tulane, followed by a first-round American Conference tournament loss — the program's first losing season since 1999-2000 under Johnny Jones.
- Hardaway owns a 175-87 record over eight years, but this was his first losing season and he has just one NCAA tournament win across three appearances, including last year's No. 5 seed loss to No. 12 Colorado State.
- Hardaway's contract runs through April 2028 with two years remaining; his buyout if fired this year was nearly $6 million, a figure that loomed large given his status as a Memphis icon and famous graduate.
- Hardaway called the season 'a failed season' and accepted personal blame, stating: 'I'm the head of that failure. Couldn't get the guys to really believe in the buy-in every single game.'
Why it matters: Hardaway survived a decision complicated by a near-$6 million buyout and his stature as a Memphis icon, buying him one more chance with two years left on his deal. The addition of a general manager signals a structural overhaul beyond just roster changes, reflecting the administration's desire to professionalize the program after its worst season in 25 years.
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