Martin: There’s only one name that matters for Hardaway’s next hire: Benjamin Franklin.
Memphis Tigers basketball coach Penny Hardaway attends Owners Box Sports Grill in Lakeland on June 17. (Benjamin Naylor/The Daily Memphian file)
John Martin
John Martin is a contributing college sports columnist for The Daily Memphian. Martin is a lifelong Memphian who’s covered the Memphis Tigers’ basketball program for more than a decade. Before joining The Daily Memphian team, he was the Memphis beat writer for The Athletic. Currently, he is the co-host of the Jason and John Show on 92.9 FM ESPN, weekdays at 11 a.m. Martin is a graduate of White Station High School and the University of Memphis.
Penny Hardaway lost an assistant coach Friday, July 18. Nolan Smith, the former Duke guard who joined the University of Memphis program last September, is leaving the Tigers to accept the head coaching job at Tennessee State University.
That defection might have mattered once upon a time. Smith is a young, dynamic coach who is clearly a riser in the business. Hardaway actually tried to hire him in 2020 before doubling back last summer. Smith connects with players and is widely regarded as a good recruiter. That was an asset any head coach would’ve strived to have on his bench.
Indeed, Hardaway’s comments Friday seemed to reflect that.
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