Arkansas started 2025 with a 2-3 overall record. That included a one-point loss at Memphis and a 56-13 defeat against Notre Dame, which led to head coach Sam Pittman being fired.
And if you can’t beat them, hire them. Arkansas is reportedly hiring Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield to be the Razorbacks’ next head coach.
Here’s more about the situation:
Memphis Head Coach Ryan Silverfield’s Background
After the success Memphis enjoyed with Mike Norvell as the team’s head coach before he went to Florida State, Silverfield has kept the Tigers playing at a high level.
Since Silverfield became the head coach going into 2020, the Tigers haven’t suffered a losing season. They went 11-2 overall and 6-2 in AAC play in 2024, concluding the season with a win over West Virginia in the Frisco Bowl.
This year, Memphis (8-4) was among the G5 frontrunners out of the American Conference to make it to the CFP until the Tigers lost to Tulane.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Silverfield has coached at five Division I schools and with three NFL teams.
He began his coaching career at the high school level with his alma mater, The Bolles School, in 1999 as an assistant. He then went to another alma mater of his, Hampden-Sydney College, and worked with players on both sides of the ball.
He returned to the high school level to be Memorial Day’s head coach in Savannah, Georgia, before going to Jacksonville University to be a quarterbacks coach in 2005. He was a graduate assistant on offense and defense at UCF after that.
In 2008, he went to the pro level, becoming an offensive quality control staff member and defensive line staff assistant for the Minnesota Vikings. In 2011, he was a Vikings assistant offensive line coach.
In 2014, he went back to the collegiate ranks to become an offensive consultant at Toledo. He was a senior offensive analyst for Arizona State and assistant offensive line coach for the Detroit Lions in 2015.
He’s been at Memphis since 2016, where he’s been an offensive line coach, a run game coordinator, an assistant head coach, and a deputy head coach.
How Old Is Memphis Head Coach Ryan Silverfield?
Ryan Silverfield is 46 years old.
What Is Memphis Head Coach Ryan Silverfield’s Record?
Ryan Silverfield is 50-25 as the head coach at Memphis.
Ryan Silverfield’s Contract
The details of Ryan Silverfield’s contract have not been widely reported.
Silverfield made $2.25 million in total pay in 2025, according to USA Today. Memphis is owed a $1 million buyout, per his contract.
Who Was The Previous Arkansas Head Coach?
Sam Pittman was Arkansas’ previous head coach. He was 32-34 with the Razorbacks.
