Hardaway is leading candidate
After Memphis decided to fire coach Tubby Smith on Wednesday after two seasons on the job, focus will now turn toward the search for his replacement.
Given the primary reasons behind Smith’s dismissal, most notably the decline in attendance at Tiger basketball games and a drop in donations to the athletic department, the leading candidate is former Memphis star Penny Hardaway.
In fact, if the university hired someone other than Hardaway at this point, it would be a surprise. A report last week suggested the Tigers were considering hiring him as they deliberated over Smith’s future and the news was met with excitement from a large portion of the fan base.
But if, for some reason, Hardaway isn’t tapped for the position, here are some of the candidates that could appear on the Tigers’ radar.
Penny Hardaway
Current job: School coach Career college record: N/A Age: 46 Pros: His role as the face of Team Penny, the top Memphis area AAU team, would provide an instant jolt to the Tigers’ recruiting efforts. He has ties to several top 100 2019 prospects and could also attract national recruits because of his celebrity. His status as a Memphis basketball legend will reinvigorate the fan base immediately and jumpstart ticket sales at FedExForum.
Cons: Never been a college coach before. Currently embroiled in a court case with the TSSAA after two of his players at East, including top recruit James Wiseman, were initially ruled ineligible.
Steve Forbes
Memphis East High
Current job: East Tennessee State head coach
Career college record: 76-29 Age: 52 Pros: Led ETSU to the NCAA tournament last year and won 52 games the past two seasons combined. Also had significant success as a junior college head coach. Experienced recruiting the Memphis area from his time as an assistant coach at Tennessee.
Cons: Received a one-year show cause penalty from the NCAA as a result of recruiting violations committed under former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl.
Eric Musselman
Current job: Nevada head coach Career college record: 79-28 Age: 53 Pros: Just earned a second-straight NCAA tournament berth in three years as the head coach at Nevada. Longtime NBA coach, including stints as a head coach with the Golden State Warriors (2002-04) and Sacramento Kings (2006-07) and two years as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies (2004-06)
Cons: Aside from one season spent as the associate head coach at LSU, his ties to the Mid-South and southeast recruiting scene are limited.
Damon Stoudamire
Current job: Pacific head coach Career college record: 25-40 Age: 44 Pros: Former NBA star had two stints as an assistant coach on former Memphis coach Josh Pastner's staff and developed a reputation as a strong recruiter. Led Pacific to a .500 record in conference this past year.
Cons: Only two years experience as a college head coach and has yet to finish with an above .500 record overall.
Tom Crean
Current job: ESPN analyst Career college record: 356-231 Age: 51 Pros: Made the Final Four at Marquette and qualified for the Sweet 16 twice at Indiana. An established program builder with three conference coach of the year awards.
Cons: Never recruited extensively in Memphis or the Southeast and struggled to live up to expectations at times at Indiana. Will likely carry too steep of a price tag for Memphis given Smith’s $9.75 million buyout.
Jeff Capel
Current job: Duke associate head coach Career college record: 162-110 Age: 43 Pros: Led VCU to the NCAA tournament and then took Oklahoma to the Elite Eight in 2009. Signed four McDonald’s All-Americans in five seasons at Oklahoma, including Blake Griffin, and helped rejuvenate Duke’s recruiting over the past seven years.
Cons: Had 13 wins vacated due to the use of an ineligible player in 2009-10 and got fired by Oklahoma following the next season. Oklahoma later admitted one of his assistants committed NCAA violations.