Lynx’s Whalen to coach Gophers

Minnesota Gophers fans wondered if Lindsay Whalen might retire from the WNBA when the head-coaching job suddenly opened up at the school where she remains a star. Turns out Whalen had another idea: Why not do both?

Whalen was named to take over the program she led to the Final Four in 2004, replacing Marlene Stollings, who left last week for Texas Tech, but Whalen will continue to play for the Minnesota Lynx, too.

At 35 — she will be 36 in May — Whalen is near the end of her pro career. At least on paper, she can make the schedules work: The Lynx open May 20, and the season can’t go beyond mid-September. The Gophers open fall practice in early October. In other news:

Former Texas-Arlington coach Scott Cross was hired by TCU as an assistant coach. Cross was fired by his alma mater March 26 after a 21-13 season that ended with a loss in the Sun Belt Conference tournament championship game. The Mavs won 225 games and had its only NCAA Tournament appearance during Cross’ 12 seasons as head coach.

New Memphis coach Penny Hardaway announced the signings of his first two recruits, including his son Jayden Hardaway, a guard. Also signing with the Tigers is guard Alex Lomax. The 5-10 Lomax played for the elder Hardaway at Memphis East High School. Jayden Hardaway, who is 6-5, also played on his dad’s Memphis East team until spending this past season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.