Arkansas hires Memphis' Ryan Silverfield as new head coach
The Arkansas Razorbacks have appointed Ryan Silverfield as their new head coach, according to On3's Brett McMurphy. This decision comes after extensive rumors linking USF coach Alex Golesh to the Arkansas job, which have now been dispelled. Silverfield, a 45-year-old coach, has been with Memphis since 2020, leading the Tigers to consistent success in the Group of Five.
Silverfield's record at Memphis is impressive, with a 29-9 record over the past three seasons, tying him for a Top 10 win percentage. He has also achieved notable victories against USF's Alex Golesh, who is now heading to Auburn, as well as North Texas' Eric Morris, who is joining Oklahoma State, and Iowa State's Matt Campbell. In his six seasons at Memphis, Silverfield amassed a 50-25 overall record and a 27-21 record in American Conference play.
One of Silverfield's most notable achievements at Memphis was his team's offensive prowess, which included the nation's longest streak of scoring 20 points or more in 51 straight games. The Tigers' defense was also strong, allowing only 23 points per game in the past two seasons. Prior to his head coaching role, Silverfield worked as the team's offensive line coach under Mike Norvell and has extensive NFL coaching experience, which has contributed to his data-driven approach to recruiting and player development.
Arkansas is coming off a disappointing 2025 season, finishing with a 2-10 record and firing head coach Sam Pittman after just five games. The team struggled under interim coach Bobby Petrino, who failed to win a game and had a winless SEC play. Despite this, Silverfield's appointment is seen as a strategic move to rebuild the program and bring stability to the team.
With his proven track record and strategic approach, Ryan Silverfield is expected to lead Arkansas to a brighter future, building on the foundation laid by his predecessors and establishing the Razorbacks as a competitive force in college football.
