Hardaway

that he’s poised to become the new men’s basketball coach at Memphis despite never coaching a college game. But count Hoiberg among those who expect Hardaway to make a smooth transition.

Now completing his third season with the Bulls, Hoiberg emphasized how important Hardaway’s assistant coaches and support staff hires will be if he wants to quickly overcome the learning curve of leading a college program.

But while some national pundits have been critical of the potential hire, particularly since Memphis fired former coach Tubby Smith after just two seasons, Hoiberg believes Hardaway is set up to succeed with the Tigers.

“He knows the recruiting game because he’s been in the AAU circuit, [and] he’s also obviously one of the smarter players to play the game, with the size and versatility,” Hoiberg said. “He’s going to run great stuff. I have no doubt about that. He’ll play with pace. I think he’ll bring an exciting style to Memphis.”

Hoiberg, 45, encountered similar circumstances as Hardaway will when he got the job at Iowa State. Known as “The Mayor” in his hometown of Ames, Iowa, Hoiberg elected to stay at home and starred for the Cyclones in college (1991-95) before a lengthy NBA career.

Iowa State then hired him to resuscitate the program as its head coach after enduring four-straight losing seasons. Before returning to the college game, Hoiberg spent several years working in the Minnesota Timberwolves front office.

The Associated Press story announcing Hoiberg’s hiring stated that Iowa State was “gambling” by hiring a rookie head coach. But Hoiberg ultimately compiled a 115-56 record over five seasons and qualified for the NCAA tournament during his final four years Overall record: 923-367* Overall record: 423-125* Overall record: 293-148* Overall record: 253-128 Overall record: 214-96*

Hired: 1976 Roy Williams, UNC Hired: 2003 Matt Painter, Purdue Hired: 2005 Bob Huggins, West Virginia Hired: 2007 Chris Mack, Xavier Hired: 2009

at Iowa State.

Hardaway, 46, has a different background. He’s currently the head coach at Memphis East High School and runs the Memphis-based AAU program, Team Penny. That gives him immediate ties to several top 100 2019 recruits.

Hoiberg cited Hardaway’s familiarity with how the recruiting world works as a reason why he felt Hardaway could eventually bring Memphis basketball back to the forefront nationally.

“I think he’ll be very successful,” Hoiberg said. “Knowing the area, being from here, playing here, I think it’s an exciting time.”

This, of course, isn’t the first time Memphis will have turned to an alum as its men’s basketball coach.

When former coach Gene Bartow left Memphis State for Illinois, Wayne Yates was hired as his replacement. Yates, who transferred to Memphis State for his final two seasons as a player, coached the Tigers for five years (1974-79).

He compiled a 93-49 overall record and made the postseason in threestraight seasons to begin his tenure, but ultimately resigned following a 1315 campaign in 1978-79.

Former Memphis State star Larry Finch also had an 11-year run as head coach (1986-97) in which he led the Tigers to the NCAA tournament six times, including one appearance in the Elite Eight in 1992 when Hardaway was a redshirt freshman.

Finch officially has more wins than any other coach in school history (220) since some of former coach John Calipari’s victories were vacated by the NCAA. But Finch was fired less than two years after taking Memphis to the Sweet 16 because of growing concerns about his recruiting efforts locally.