(UPDATE/Statement from MEMPHIS) Next to the door…Slick Rick? FULL INTERVIEW-AUDIO

It wouldn't be a Memphis Tigers basketball season at the University of Memphis under Penny Hardaway without off-season (or in-season) wildness. In this case, the "hits" continue early Wednesday morning (9/4) as Hitmen Hoops and multiple outlets are now reporting that it appears Memphis and Penny will release Rick Stansbury next as assistant coach at Memphis.

Hitmen Hoops joined the Jason and John Show on Wednesday a.m. to discuss his reporting and another wild week at Memphis under Penny on 92.9 FM ESPN.

This morning the University of Memphis issued this statement:

Statement From Memphis Athletics

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis men’s basketball head coach Penny Hardaway announced changes within the program Wednesday morning.

Assistant coaches Rick Stansbury, Faragi Phillips and Jamie Rosser, along with special advisor Demetrius Dyson will not return this season.

“I want to thank Rick, Faragi, Jamie and Demetrius for their service to the University of Memphis and our basketball program,” Hardaway said. “These are good coaches that I’ve worked with closely over the past few seasons, but I made the difficult decision to go in a new direction with our staff. The timing is not ideal, but I want to give this team the best opportunity to reach our goals of winning the American Conference and advancing in the NCAA Tournament. With the season rapidly approaching, we are going to move quickly to complete the staff.”