Memphis coach Penny Hardaway fires four members of his staff

The situation became even worse Wednesday night when SI.com reported that the university had learned of an anonymous letter accusing Hardaway of personal involvement in player recruiting and academic violations.

“The University of Memphis is aware of the anonymous letter and it has been forwarded to the NCAA,” Memphis spokeswoman Michele Ehrhart confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday.

Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch left for the same job at Missouri in April. Memphis hired Ed Scott from Virginia as the Tigers’ new athletic director in June.

Hardaway has been in trouble with the NCAA more than once since being hired as head coach at his alma mater in March 2018. The two-time All-American and four-time NBA All-Star after being selected third overall in the 1993 NBA draft.

He is 133-62 in six seasons with two NCAA Tournament berths. The Tigers missed the tournament last season despite going 22-10. They won the 2023 American Athletic Conference Tournament, earning an automatic berth this year.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions suspended Hardaway for three games since the start of last season for recruiting violations related to two home visits to a prospect two years ago. That came after a negotiated settlement in December 2022 that allowed Memphis to resolve the matter and begin probation, while one person disputed the level of allegations stemming from the allegations.

It was about Hardaway, who was charged under the rules governing head coaches’ liability for conduct within their programs.

Memphis also dealt with a separate 2019 NCAA investigation related to the recruiting and very brief college stay of center James Wiseman, who went from Nashville to Memphis to play for Hardaway in high school. Wiseman played in just three games before the NCAA investigation was announced.

The case ultimately led to the NCAA handing Memphis three years of probation, a public reprimand and a fine, but not banning Hardaway from the postseason or imposing any individual penalty.