According to the announcer:The head coach of Memphis Tigers has name another…
Old habits die hard. Even if it takes several years for them to reappear. As Memphis public address announcer Chuck Roberts finished his pregame introductions for the Tigers’ game against Murray State, he was no doubt thinking back to the 2000 roster.
In the days leading up to Penny Hardaway’s presentation as the new Memphis men’s basketball coach, he leaned on a former backcourt mate to give him “the lay of the land” on what to expect in college basketball.
Tony Madlock, who was an assistant coach and interim head coach at Ole Miss this season, played with Hardaway for one season at Memphis, where the two helped the Tigers reach the Elite Eight in 1992. They’ll get back together shortly.
During an interview with media on Tuesday, Hardaway confirmed that Madlock will join his assistant coaching team this week.
Madlock, 48, is a Memphis native with almost 20 years of college coaching experience, having previously worked at Auburn, UTEP, and Arkansas State.
He spent the previous four seasons at Ole Miss, where he went 1-4 after taking over as interim coach for fired Andy Kennedy.
Hardaway stated that he is still seeking for an associate head coach and an additional assistant coach to complete out his group.
He did, however, have some criteria in mind when questioned about probable candidates.
“I’m looking for veteran guys that have been in the game for a long time,” Hardaway said, “that can go out there and hit the pavement and grind and go in and make families and kids believe that this is the place to bring their kids.
” Simply tireless workers. Guys who will work nonstop all day and night to restore this institution to its former glory and maintain our high ranking by recruiting such students.”
