(J&J Tigers AUDIO): Penny on Naismith Coach of Year Watch List

Hardaway Named to Werner Ladder Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year Watch List

Jason and John interview ESPN Analyst Randolph Childress who glowed about the job Penny Hardaway is doing at Memphis this season.

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Jason & John also discussed the news from Friday (2/21) that Penny Hardaway is on the Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List for the 2024-25 season.

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ATLANTA – University of Memphis men's basketball head coach Penny Hardaway has been named to the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year Watch List presented by AXIA Time. Hardaway is one of 15 coaches across the country named to the list, and the only American Athletic Conference coach.

In his seventh season at the helm, Hardaway has led his Tigers to a Top 25 ranking in 10 of the possible 16 weeks, as Memphis sits 21-5 overall on the year and currently ranked No. 22 in the nation. The Tigers are 11-2 in The American, a game up on North Texas and UAB for the AAC lead. The Tigers are 2-0 against those squads this season and must return a game to UAB next weekend.

Memphis has three wins over AP ranked teams this season, six against power conference opponents and 10 victories over Quad 1 & 2 programs. He also has his squad with nine true road wins, which are fourth-most in the country

The Tigers have achieved 20 wins in all seven seasons with Hardaway at the top and this year's team is off to the program's best start in a season since 2012-13.

A list of 10 semifinalists will be announced on Friday, March 14. The Werner Ladder Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year award will be narrowed to four finalists on Monday, March 24. The winner will be announced on Sunday, April 6, at the Final Four in Phoenix.

Memphis is back in action this Sunday (Feb. 23) as the No. 22 Tigers welcome Florida Atlantic to FedExForum at 1 p.m. Full coverage on 92.9 FM ESPN, Memphis' Sports Station.