New Tennessee State coach Nolan Smith: Memphis is 'a great city, no matter what Stephen A. says'

New Tennessee State basketball coach Nolan Smith is leaving Penny Hardaways staff at Memphis after less than a year.While the former Duke star who became an All-American and won a national championship playing for former Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski jumped at the opportunity to become a head coach, his affinity for Memphis makes the move somewhat bittersweet.Smith, who was hired by Hardaway in September 2024, is proud of what the Tigers accomplished last season, winning the AAC regular-season and tournament championships.

Perhaps more than that, though, the 36-year-old (who turns 37 on July 25) became attached to Memphis on multiple levels.Memphis is one of my favorite basketball cities Ive ever spent time in, he told The Commercial Appeal on July 18, just hours after Tennessee States official announcement.

Ive been in Portland, Louisville.

Memphis is probably one of the best.Smith also made clear how he felt about some things ESPN commentator Stephen A.

Smith said about Memphis.

In June, Stephen A.

Smith created a sizeable stir when he said crime rates in Memphis are dissuasive to NBA players the Grizzlies might be interested in signing.The now-former Memphis assistant scoffed at that notion.Its a great city, no matter what Stephen A.

(Smith) says, Smith said, unprompted.

Ive loved living in Memphis and always felt safe.

Thats the truth.

My family never felt unsafe here.

We felt the love.The Tigers finished 29-6, earning a No.

5 seed at the NCAA tournament, where they were eliminated in the first round by Colorado State.

Smith said he was looking forward to the 2025-26 season in Memphis.

But the lure of becoming a Division I head coach was not something he could pass up."If anyone is deserving of this position, it's Nolan," Hardaway said in a statement.

"He is prepared and ready for the job.

Nolan's time at Memphis was short, but he made a huge impact on our program.

I'm very confident he will do the same at TSU."The Tennessee State job became available when former coach Brian Penny Collins stepped down June 30 to accept a coaching position on the Grizzlies staff.

From there, it was boom-boom-boom, Smith said, adding that Hardaway was supportive of him from the beginning.Coach Hardaway was amazing to work with this whole year, Smith said.

He told me, Youre ready to be a head coach.

I knew that when you first got down here.

His vote of confidence made me go for this thing 100%, without any regrets.(But) I was sad having that conversation with the team (Memphis).

That was hard.

Im going to miss all the players and coaches.

Im going to miss the unlimited love from the fans.

But Im excited to watch them this season and be a fan.Reach sports writer Jason Munz at [email protected], follow him @munzly on X.This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: New TSU coach Nolan Smith: Leaving Memphis basketball is 'hard'.

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