Memphis basketball recruiting director Jeremy Kipness leaves for Sacred Heart

Memphis basketball recruiting director Jeremy Kipness is leaving the Tigers after four seasons with the program, he announced on Instagram Monday.

Kipness has not publicly announced his next destination, but he’s currently listed as an assistant coach on Sacred Heart University’s men’s basketball staff directory.

Kipness’ departure signals the latest shakeup for Memphis basketball’s coaching staff. Penny Hardaway has hired former Indiana coach Mike Davis and Tigers legend Andre Turner as a consultant and director of player/alumni relations respectively this offseason.

Sources tell Bluff City Media that the seventh-year head coach is also expected to bring in former Louisville assistant Nolan Smith to serve in the same role for the Tigers, and former DePaul assistant Tony Harvey for a general manager-like position.

Kipness initially started at Memphis in 2020-21 as a graduate assistant, and officially joined Hardaway’s staff in 2021-22 as a recruiting coordinator. He was later promoted to his current position prior to the 2022-23 season.

Kipness is the founder of Aspire Academy—a national prep basketball program in Louisville, Kentucky—and served as its head coach from 2016-2020 prior to his arrival at Memphis. He also spent four seasons as a student manager under Rick Pitino at Louisville, and helped the Cardinals win the 2013 NCAA Tournament.