Penny Hardaway, Memphis men's basketball coach, announced Tuesday night that he will stay with the Tigers rather than pursue the Orlando Magic head coach vacancy. ESPN sources also confirmed that Hardaway is expected to hire Larry Brown, a Hall of Famer, as an assistant coach.Hardaway was interviewed by the Magic last week, according to reports. The Magic announced earlier in the month that Steve Clifford would be leaving as head coach."One day, in my future, I would love coaching in the NBA. Wouldn't it be amazing if it was the Orlando Magic?" In an Instagram video, Hardaway stated. "But today isn’t that day."Hardaway played the Magic for six seasons, earning four All-Star Game appearances as well as two All-NBA first-team selections. Hardaway also led the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals where they were defeated by the Houston Rockets.Hardaway, a native of Memphis who played college basketball for the Tigers in his hometown, has been Memphis' head coach for three seasons. Since taking over, he is now 63-32 and led Memphis to the NIT title last season.Hardaway stated in the video, "Today, I'm here, with my players and with the fans. I'm trying to bring us a championship, and that was what I set out for, and that is what I want to accomplish." We are grateful to all our fans who have supported us through losses and wins, fought for us, and remained loyal."And I'm doing exactly the same thing. I will be there. I don't want to make you guys afraid that I'm going somewhere."Hardaway is pushing for Brown's hire to replace Tony Madlock who left earlier in the offseason to take over as South Carolina State's head coach. Brown, who is 80 years old, is the only coach to have won both a national championship in men's basketball and an NBA title. Since leaving SMU in summer 2016, Brown has not coached in college.Brown was the head coach at UCLA, Kansas and nine other NBA teams. Since 1965-67, Brown was the North Carolina assistant coach.Brown met Hardaway once in 2005-06 when Brown was Hardaway’s coach with New York Knicks.Hardaway was the national No. Hardaway brought in the nation's No. 1-ranked recruiting class for 2019, but it has not translated into an NCAA tournament appearance over his three seasons at Memphis. However, the Tigers should be in the hunt for a bid for this season. They're also in contention for the nation’s top two prospects, Jalen Duren and Emoni Bates, who could reclassify to college.College Hoops Today reported first the news about Brown's expected hiring in Memphis.
