On Wednesday, September 4, Memphis men’s basketball head coach Penny Hardaway announced a major shakeup in his coaching staff. Four members—assistant coaches Rick Stansbury, Faragi Phillips, Jamie Rosser, and special advisor Demetrius Dyson—will not return for the 2024-25 season.
“I want to thank Rick, Faragi, Jamie, and Demetrius for their contributions to Memphis and our basketball program,” Hardaway said. “These are outstanding coaches whom I’ve worked closely with over the past few seasons. However, I made the difficult decision to move in a new direction with our coaching staff. The timing is less than ideal, but I want to give this team the best chance to achieve our goals of winning an American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship and advancing deep into the NCAA Tournament.”
Rick Stansbury’s Impact
Rick Stansbury, who spent just one season with Memphis, was regarded as Hardaway’s top assistant and a key recruiter. Stansbury stepped in as acting head coach during Hardaway’s three-game suspension at the start of the 2023-24 season, leading the Tigers to a perfect 3-0 record during that time.
Farage Phillips’ Tenure
Faragi Phillips, who had been with Memphis for two years, joined the Tigers before the 2022-23 season. In his first year, the team captured the AAC championship. Phillips had a long-standing relationship with Hardaway, dating back to their days coaching high school basketball in Memphis.
Memphis’ Challenges Last Season
The Tigers finished fifth in the AAC during the 2023-24 season with a 22-10 record but faced early elimination in the AAC Tournament. Including the latest dismissals, nine staff members from last season will not return.
The New Look Coaching Staff
The revamped Memphis coaching staff includes assistant coach Mike Davis, director of player development Andre Turner, chief of staff Dwight Boyd, and director of basketball operations Jordan Verhulst. They will also be joined by newly appointed director of scouting Marcus Nunnally and strength coach Todd Forcier.
New Leadership in Athletic Operations
Tim Duncan has been appointed as senior associate athletic director under newly hired athletic director Ed Scott. Duncan will oversee basketball operations as part of his new role.
Looking Ahead to the 2024-25 Season
Memphis will begin their 2024-25 campaign on November 4 against Missouri. With a revamped coaching staff, the Tigers are aiming for a fresh start and a successful season.
