Memphis basketball's Penny Hardaway addresses Larry Brown, recruiting and Louisville

Penny Hardaway expects assistant coach Larry Brown to remain a part of his Memphis basketball coaching staff for the 2022-23 season.

“Coach Brown, right now, is coming back,” Hardaway told The Commercial Appeal on Monday. “I don’t know to what capacity. It’s literally up to him. It’s a blessing to have him around. If it’s not (as) a coach, maybe he can be assistant to the head coach or something that doesn’t have to travel and recruit and do as much (as assistant coaches).”

The Hall of Famer Brown, 81, was hired last summer. Soon after, during a recruiting trip to Peach Jam, the legendary coach contracted COVID-19. Later, during the season, Brown missed the Tigers' game at Tulsa with a non COVID-related illness. Hardaway said the grind of the past year wore on Brown, adding he expects his mentor to be back on staff until he's told otherwise.

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Hardaway, who is heading into his fifth season at his alma mater, spoke to the media Monday afternoon for the first time since March when his team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the second round. Hardaway was on hand at Fire Station 18 on Southern Avenue – alongside school president Bill Hardgrave, athletic director Laird Veatch, football coach Ryan Silverfield, women's basketball coach Katrina Merriweather and Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland – for the unveiling of a new University of Memphis-themed pumper.

In addition to filling out a coaching staff, Hardaway has open spots on his roster – at least four at present. He's also still working on finalizing the team's non-conference schedule. He said Monday he's hopeful to put together a home-and-home series with former conference foe Louisville to begin this season.

“I’ve got a call out to (new Cardinals coach) Kenny Payne," Hardaway said. "I think it would be great to bring that rivalry back. You know how Memphis State and Louisville used to be."

Hardaway added that Memphis is also pushing to get a home-and-home deal started with rival Arkansas. But he indicated that one isn't as far along.

The Tigers lost much of their roster to the transfer portal. Four others have declared for the NBA Draft. Two of them (Jalen Duren and Josh Minott) are not expected to return. The other two, Lester Quinones and DeAndre Williams, have until June 1 to decide whether they will return for another season at Memphis.

Point guard Alex Lomax's status is also uncertain, Hardaway said. He's eligible to play another season for the Tigers, but he's also exploring other options.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Penny Hardaway addresses Larry Brown, Memphis basketball recruiting