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An anonymous letter that recently surfaced at Memphis has made a situation involving head basketball coach Penny Hardaway all the more head-scratching.
That letter, which has since been turned over to the NCAA, suggests that Hardaway violated recruiting and academic rules dating back to 2020. The timing is curious considering it came hours after the coach mysteriously fired a handful of staff members.
Reports of the firings broke on Wednesday as four assistants were dropped just weeks before the start of the college basketball season. No reason was given on those dismissals, though it is worth noting that the current athletic director took over in July who quickly hired a new men’s basketball sport administrator.
Still, the decision to let go key staff members so close to the season, especially with Hardaway potentially approaching “hot seat” territory, is bizarre.
Was it truly the coach’s call? Did the AD have influence? Is there something behind the scenes the school isn’t making public?
Whatever the case, Penny Hardaway’s situation just got a bit hazier.
An anonymous letter labeled the Memphis basketball coach a cheater.
The letter alleges Hardaway’s personal involvement in what could be major violations in the recruitment of a player who came to Memphis and a second prospect who did not enroll at the school. The letter claims those violations occurred in 2020 and ’22. It also alleges academic violations occurred in the ’23–24 school year. The allegations in the letter have not been independently substantiated.
Hardaway’s previously been under the eye of the NCAA for recruiting violations in 2019 and 2021. These latest accusations won’t do much to restore his image.
It’s not known if the letter is related to the firings, though timing is certainly strange.
As it stands, Hardaway will have an entirely new program when the 2024-25 season starts. On top of the four firings, five other staff members left Memphis this offseason, and just one scholarship player is returning to the sidelines.
Not much is clear on what’s happening with the Tigers. It’s far from an ideal situation for Penny Hardaway with the season set to start in November.