Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway has reportedly emerged as the Orlando Magic’s lead candidate to fill their head coaching vacancy, contradicting previous thoughts that the team would not likely hire a coach without prior NBA head-coaching experience.
Hardaway, who is currently the head coach at the University of Memphis, his alma mater, reportedly interviewed with the Magic this past week. The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported Hardaway’s status as a Magic candidate, citing NBA sources.
In his June 5 press conference on the departure of Steve Clifford as Magic head coach, Jeff Weltman, the team’s president of basketball operations, talked about the importance of the next coach having head-coaching experience but did not slam the door on those who did not have such experience.