Scott says he saw “some progression” when evaluating Hardaway’s eight seasons so far with the Tigers.

The Memphis women’s basketball team hasn’t gone to the NCAA Tournament in almost 30 years. After firing Alex Simmons, the Tigers are searching for a spark. Local coaches and a former player weigh in on how to end the drought.

“Penny Hardaway is returning as Memphis coach. How can he fix things? He can start by accepting that the disaster that was this past season wasn’t some ‘one-off.’ ”

Related content:

Tigers will bring Penny Hardaway back for ninth season

Three Memphis assistant basketball coaches not returning next season

According to a news release issued by the Memphis athletic department, “... Hardaway announced structural changes within the men’s basketball program.”

The Memphis Tigers have decided to retain head basketball coach Penny Hardaway, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Monday morning.

Some losses seem much more painful than others. Coach Penny Hardaway discusses the ones that hurt the worst.

Penny Hardaway could make his job easier by returning some of the eight players from this season who have eligibility remaining for 2026-27 and beyond. But how many should Memphis bring back after a season the coach called a failure?

As much as Hardaway has enjoyed calling many of the shots himself throughout his tenure as it pertains to building rosters and staffs, he suggested Wednesday that having someone else oversee those operations could be beneficial.

Memphis Tigers coach Penny Hardaway plans to meet with athletic director Ed Scott following an early exit from the American Conference Tournament. 

The Tigers came out flat in front of a quiet crowd of no more than 500 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Related content:

Penny Hardaway admits he could use help to ‘build everything'

Box score: Tulane 81, Memphis 69

Box score for the NCAA American Conference Tournament game between the Memphis Tigers and the Tulane Green Wave at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

The Tigers will open against a power conference opponent to start next season.

Memphis failed to land a player on the American’s all-conference first, second or third teams — or on the 10-player All-Newcomer Team. 

With six nonconference matchups now set, Memphis is still left with seven spots to fill in its 13-game 2026-27 non-American Conference schedule.

The Tigers begin American Conference tournament play against the No. 9-seeded Green Wave.

The women’s team has not reached the NCAA Tournament since the 1997-98 season under coach Joye Lee-McNelis.

Headed to Birmingham, Memphis looks to make possible what seems improbable: five straight wins and an NCAA Tournament berth.

“It’s March, and Penny Hardaway and the Tigers have a chip and a chair.”

Related content: 

Bracket set for American Conference Tournament
Memphis escapes in OT against Tulane to clinch

American Conference Tournament berth

A tumultuous regular season complete, Tigers excited to enter ‘new season’

Memphis will open the American Conference Tournament against Tulane.

Quante Berry made two free throws with 2.3 seconds left in overtime to give Memphis a 96-95 comeback win over Tulane and send the Tigers to the upcoming American Conference Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama.

Related content: 

Box score: Memphis 96, Tulane 95 (OT)

Bracket set for American Conference Tournament

Here is the box score for the Memphis Tigers’ game against the Tulane Green Wave on Sunday, March 8.

A win against the Green Wave would snap the Tigers’ seven-game losing streak and guarantee them a spot in the 10-team American Conference Tournament.

With nine American teams having already clinched a berth to the conference tournament, Memphis is fighting for a final spot in Birmingham.

Former Memphis star Dain Dainja, now playing in the G-League for the Miami Heat-affiliated Sioux Falls Skyforce, said it hurts to watch the Tigers struggle.

Memphis falls to 12-18 overall and 7-10 in the American Conference. Point guard Dug McDaniel led the Tigers with 25 points. Zach Davis added 17.