Simon Harris heard his father talk about some of the things he was enjoying in Tempe, Ariz.

But he could tell, even over the phone, that his father, Larry Harris, would rather be back at N.C. State, where he spent the last 10 years as an assistant coach for Herb Sendek before Sendek left for Arizona State on April 3.

“You could hear in his voice that he was sad to be there,” Simon Harris said.

But as Simon Harris, who is a sophomore on Elon’s basketball team, explained, it was more about what his father left behind than what he had gone to.

The elder Harris had lived away from his son for much of his son’s childhood while he coached in the PAC-10, but not away from his daughters.

“I felt bad for them because they’ve always grown up with Dad being there,” Simon Harris said.

In the end, Larry Harris wouldn’t be gone long, as new basketball coach Sidney Lowe rehired him as an assistant May 10.

Harris said it was a tough decision, but that it came down to being able to continue taking his daughters to school and being near his son.

“My family is here,” Harris said.

And now, once again, so is he.

He said it is a great opportunity for him to return to “a place I’ve grown to love.”

Harris said his strong relationships with the Wolfpack community have helped him feel at home in his time at State. He added each conversation he had with Lowe about the job made him more certain he would return.

Harris said he hopes his return will help to ease the coaching transition by providing a familiar face.

“It helps in anything that you do,” Harris said.

Despite Internet rumors suggesting the younger Harris may be in line to join the State team, Simon Harris said last Monday he is pleased with his current team and coach.

“I love the people around here,” Simon Harris said.

He would not say 100 percent that he will not be in a Pack uniform next season, leaving the possibility open. But at the time, he provided an answer.

“As of now, no,” Simon Harris said.