Penny Hardaway, the player or Penny Hardaway the coach: Well, if fate hadn’t stepped in, we might’ve been comparing two entirely different career paths. Those who’ve followed him past his NBA days already know he’s been deeply rooted in the world of coaching for nearly a decade. Wait, if you feel he hung boots to be a coach. After his NBA career ended, he actually stepped away from basketball for a bit and focused on stuff that isn’t basketball. He ran a barbershop, dabbled in real estate, and had time that you would want to spend with—family. But there’s one more passion that he wished for. So, not only was this path unexpected for the 4x All-Star, it wasn’t even part of his original plan after retirement.

And that makes his coaching success even more impressive. Think about it—Hardaway built a powerhouse at Memphis, racking up a 110-52 record over five seasons. Not bad for someone who had his sights set elsewhere. So what exactly did he envision for life after basketball? As he recently shared on The Pivot Podcast, it had nothing to do with a clipboard or a whistle.

“I never thought I was going to be in coaching. I thought I was going to be in TV. You know, I really wanted to do ESPN or TNT or do something like that,” Hardaway admitted. Just imagine Penny Hardaway’s charm and insight lighting up ESPN’s $24 billion platform or possibly trading laughs with his ex-teammate Shaquille O’Neal on TNT. Sounds like a perfect fit, but life had other plans.

“When I got back home, a buddy of mine was diagnosed with colon cancer. I went through that whole process with him, and then he ended up passing. I took over his team and then I fell in love with that group, moved up to high school with him, and then now I’m ultimately here,” Penny revealed on The Pivot Podcast.

Poll of the day

Poll 1 of 5

Do you think Penny Hardaway should continue as the head coach of the Memphis Tigers despite recent setbacks?

Yes, he deserves more time to prove himself

No, it's time for a change

Only if he can improve next season

I'm indifferent as long as the team performs

When did you watch your first NBA game?

Yes, Kerr knows what's best for the team

No, Kuminga should have played given his past performance

Maybe, but it depends on future games

I trust Kerr, but this decision is questionable

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It’s game night, and your team is playing. What’s your home setup?

Give him more playing time to develop

Keep him benched until he proves himself

Trade him for a more consistent player

Let him earn his spot through practice and performance

Do you agree with Steve Kerr that the NBA's 82-game season is too demanding on players?

Yes, it's too much and needs to be reduced

No, it's part of the game and players should adapt

Maybe, but only if it affects player health

I don't care as long as the games are entertaining

With Stephen Curry's recent injury concerns, how confident are you in the Warriors' chances against the Grizzlies?

Very confident, Curry will lead them to victory

Somewhat confident, but the Grizzlies are a threat

Not confident, the Grizzlies will exploit Curry's injury

Indifferent, it's all about the team effort

Want to dive deeper?

Here are the articles that inspired recent polls.

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That’s where it all began—Lester Middle School in Memphis, back in 2011. Hardaway didn’t walk in aiming for a coaching career. He stepped up for Desmond Merriweather, his close friend and former teammate, who was fighting colon cancer. But what started as a gesture of support turned into a turning point. Penny Hardaway guided the team to a state championship in his very first season and even introduced a tutoring program to ensure academics stayed on par with athletics.

Fast forward to 2015, and he joined East High School’s coaching staff. Initially an assistant, he took over after Merriweather’s passing and led the team to three straight state titles between 2016 and 2018. Subsequently, by 2018, his journey reached a new level when he became head coach of the University of Memphis men’s basketball team. Thus marking the beginning of a collegiate chapter he never planned. However, his current position has been in question after the Tigers’ recent run in the March Madness.

Is Penny Hardaway’s future with the Memphis Tigers at risk?

Hardaway’s time as head coach of the Memphis Tigers began with big dreams and even bigger expectations. A hometown hero returning to lift his alma mater—what could be better? But fast forward to the present, and that feel-good story is starting to wear thin. Another disappointing March Madness run has people asking the question no one wanted to ask: Is it time for Memphis to move on from Penny?

Let’s be honest—this recent NCAA Tournament exit didn’t help. As a No. 5 seed, the Tigers were expected to make some noise. Instead, they were bounced out early by Colorado State, 78-70, in the first round at Climate Pledge Arena. That makes it another one-and-done outing, and the frustration seems to be mounting.

Since taking over in 2018, Penny Hardaway’s squads have yet to make it past the Sweet 16. Talent? He’s brought it in. Passion? No shortage there. But when it matters most, Memphis just can’t seem to deliver—and fans, along with university officials, are growing restless. So far, the 4x All-Star holds a 1-3 record in NCAA Tournament play.

And if you need a symbol of that frustration, look no further than a viral moment on X. In a clip posted by @CBSSports, Charles Barkley crossed Memphis off his bracket, adding, “Memphis is gone, thanks Penny.” Short, sharp, and telling—it captured exactly how many are feeling right now. But if worst comes to shove, Penny Hardaway might have a chance to move on from his role as a coach to his original ambitions of being on TV. As an analyst or broadcaster, maybe.