Penny Hardaway is locked in as Memphis’ men’s basketball coach through 2027-28 after the school added two years to his contract on Wednesday.
Over the six years that are now part of his deal, Hardaway is owed $16.5 million.
“This full ‘long-form’ contract and extension for Coach Hardaway has been in the works for quite some time,” athletic director Laird Veatch said in a statement. “We are extremely pleased and excited to make this commitment to keep Coach Hardaway courtside leading our Tigers for a long time.
“We could not have a better fit as our head men’s basketball coach at Memphis than Penny Hardaway, and we are very thankful for his dedication and leadership.”
Hardaway added in a statement, “As I have said many times, this is a dream position for me, and I do not take it for granted. … I cannot wait to keep working each and every day for our City, our University and our program.”
Since taking over the Tigers for the 2018-19 season, Hardaway has registered four consecutive 20-win seasons, compiling an 84-43 record. The 51-year-old former NBA All-Star guided Memphis to the NCAA Tournament for the first time last season after the squad won the NIT the previous year.
Memphis hadn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014 prior to last season, when they beat Boise State in the first round before losing to top-seeded Gonzaga.
–Field Level Media
