New Headline: Penny Hardaway Leads Grizzlies to Major Victory!

The Memphis Tigers are retaining head basketball coach Penny Hardaway, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel . Hardaway has reportedly told Memphis that he will be making changes to his coaching staff and hiring a general manager ahead of his ninth season in charge of his alma mater. Hardaway has spent eight years at Memphis with their 13-18 record this past season, being his first below .

500. They were eliminated by Tulane in the first round of the American Conference Tournament, a year after they won the tournament for the second time under him. They also won the regular season title in 2025, their first in program history.

He is 175-86 as their head coach and has led them to three NCAA Tournament appearances, where they have one win. They also won the NIT, capping off the 2020-21 season and starting a run that saw them make the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and 2023. It was their first tournament appearance since 2014 and their first time making back-to-back trips since they made four straight from 2011-14.

While the struggles mounted this season and attendance dwindled, Hardway is the most famous player in program history and will get one last chance to turn them around. He will now have the offseason to comb the transfer portal for impact players ahead of a crucial season for him and the program. Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads.