Report: Penny Hardaway agrees to become coach of Memphis Tigers

It’s just about official: Penny Hardaway has himself a new coaching gig.

The former Orlando Magic guard has reached a deal to become the new head coach at the University of Memphis, reports Jeff Goodman of ESPN.

Memphis announced that a press conference will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Central Time to introduce it’s new coach, though no mention of Hardaway was made, reports Gary Parrish of CBS Sports.

Hardaway, who averaged 15.2 points and 5.0 assists per game during his injury-plagued career, spent six seasons in Orlando. A four-time All-Star and 1994-1995 All-NBA first-team selection, he averaged 19.0 points and 6.3 assists per game while with the Magic.

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A star at Memphis for two seasons before being drafted in 1993, Hardaway is fresh off coaching Memphis East High School to a third straight state championship. He’ll replace Tubby Smith, who was dismissed after just two years with the team, with the hope that having the school’s most prominent alum on the sideline will inject some new life into the program.

Rumors have been circulating about Hardaway being Smith’s successor since earlier this month. Another former Magic guard could soon join Hardaway’s staff, with Mike Miller expected to meet with Hardaway in the near future.

The excitement of Hardaway’s return is already quite evident based on the Twitter response....