J&J Show: Tony Madlock returns to Memphis

According to Hitmen Hoops, Tony Madlock is reportedly set to return to Memphis for the 2026–27 season, rejoining Penny Hardaway as an assistant coach.

The move would bring a familiar and respected voice back to the Tigers’ bench as the program looks to retool and reestablish itself in the American Athletic Conference.

Madlock, a Memphis native and former Tiger, previously served on Hardaway’s staff from 2018 to 2021, playing a key role in recruiting and player development during the program’s early resurgence. Since then, he has gained valuable head coaching experience, most recently at Alabama State Hornets men's basketball, where he built a competitive program and added to his reputation as a strong leader.

Monday morning Memphis also added Trevor DeLoach & Sean Mock as assistant coaches.

Full coverage of the Memphis Tigers on 92.9 FM ESPN, Memphis' Sport Station.

Here's Monday morning's press release from the University of Memphis:

Hardaway Announces New Additions to Men’s Basketball Staff

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis men's basketball head coach Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway announced Monday the addition of three staff members to the program, welcoming Tony Madlock as associate head coach and Sean Mock and Trevor DeLoach as assistant coaches for the 2026-27 season.

"I'm excited about the experience and energy this group brings to our program," said Hardaway. "Tony's deep Memphis ties and head coaching success combined with Sean and Trevor's proven ability to develop players and recruit at a high level, make this a strong addition to our staff as we continue building toward our ultimate goal of postseason success."

A former Tiger point guard and Memphis native, Madlock returns to Hardaway's bench following four seasons as head coach at Alabama State. He brings nearly 30 years of Division I experience, including previous assistant coaching stops at Arkansas State, UTEP, Auburn and Ole Miss, along with three seasons on Hardaway's original Memphis staff from 2018-21.

In 2025, Madlock led Alabama State to the SWAC Championship, a First Four appearance and the program's first NCAA Tournament victory, earning HBCU Sports Coach of the Year honors. Prior to that, he served as head coach at South Carolina State, where he led one of the nation's top turnarounds, was named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award and guided the Bulldogs to national top-three rankings in rebounding.

A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for Memphis from 1988-92, Madlock helped the Tigers reach four postseason appearances, including two NCAA Tournament and two NIT berths.

Mock arrives in Memphis after seven seasons at Tulane, where he served as assistant coach and director of recruiting. He helped guide the Green Wave to 107 wins, including a 20-win season in 2022-23, and played a key role in developing 12 all-conference selections including 2025-26 second team honoree Rowan Rumbraugh.

During the 2022-23 campaign, Tulane led the American Athletic Conference in scoring, assists and free throw percentage, while also ranking first nationally in tempo per game averaging 77.0 possessions per contest. Mock previously spent time at Georgia State, Henderson State and Northwood University, and began his coaching career as the director of basketball operations at Miami (Ohio), where he was a four-year letterwinner and team captain.

DeLoach joins Memphis after recent stops at Charlotte and UTSA, where he focused on recruiting and player development and helped produce multiple all-conference performers. He previously spent three seasons at Jacksonville (2021-24), helping the Dolphins to 50 wins including a trip to the 2022 Atlantic Sun title game and a top-five national scoring defense ranking in 2022.

DeLoach also spent two seasons at Nicholls State, including time as associate head coach, helping lead the Colonels to the 2021 Southland Conference regular-season championship. His coaching career also includes stops at South Carolina State (2016-18) and Maryland Eastern Shore (2014-16).

A Columbia, South Carolina native, DeLoach played collegiately at South Carolina (2007-08), Chipola (2008-09) and at UNC Wilmington (2009-12) before beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater.

Madlock, Mock and DeLoach will join Hardaway for his ninth season as the head coach of the Tiger's basketball program.