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Hardaway officially takes over at Memphis: 'Losing is not an option'

Joe Murphy / National Basketball Association / Getty

The Memphis Tigers have their new man, with former NBA star Penny Hardaway being introduced to the media Tuesday as the program's new head basketball coach.

Hardaway didn't take very long to assert himself as more than just a name, assuring the Memphis faithful that there are better days on the horizon.

"As a coach, my style, we're going to get after it," Hardaway said. "We're going to win basketball games. Losing is not an option."

"I'm not coming here to be a face. I'm here to make a difference," he added.

Memphis fired former head man Tubby Smith last week after two up-and-down seasons in which the Tigers amassed a record of 40-26.

Hardaway becomes the 19th head coach in Memphis' history.

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