Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Sam Mitchell leaves Memphis coach Penny Hardaway’s staff

Minnesota Timberwolves v Atlanta Hawks

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 09: Sam Mitchell of the Minnesota Timberwolves calls out to his players during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 9, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Getty Images

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis coach Penny Hardaway says former NBA coach of the year Sam Mitchell is no longer part of his staff.

Mitchell worked as an assistant coach for Memphis in 2018-19 during Hardaway’s debut season. Hardaway said Tuesday at a news conference that Mitchell has “decided to go in another direction.”

Hardaway added that “we definitely appreciate Sam so much and support him.” Hardaway said Mitchell will always be like an “older brother” to him.

Mitchell was an NBA head coach with the Toronto Raptors from 2004-09 and with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015-16. He was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2007.