Arkansas hires Ryan Silverfield as head football coach
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The search is over, as Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield has been hired as Arkansas’ next head football coach, as first reported by On3’s Brett McMurphy and later announced by the University of Arkansas.
A 45-year old native of Jacksonville, Florida, Silverfield possesses a 50-24 head coaching record, all of which came at Memphis. In his sixth full season as permanent head coach of the Tigers, Silverfield led the program to an 8-4 (4-4 AAC) record, which included a home win over the Razorbacks on Sept. 20.
“It became clear during our conversations that Coach Silverfield shares our vision of making the College Football Playoffs and competing for a national championship,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said in a press release. “With our new and significant financial investment in the football program, we are confident we now have the coach and resources to make that happen. Throughout the search process, Coach Silverfield’s proven ability to win games over a sustained period separated him from the pack and make him the right choice to be our next head football coach.
“His teams at Memphis have been consistent winners since he took over the program in 2019. The knowledge of our state and region he brings along with the ability to build and maintain a program will provide a great foundation for our program moving forward. We are excited to welcome his wife, Katie, and their two daughters, Adeline and Celicia, to Arkansas.”
Silverfield also spoke to Razorback Nation for the first time.
“Can’t wait to get to Fayetteville and get started,” Silverfield said. “We are going to bring a lot of success to the Hogs that is so well deserved.
“Can’t wait to see you, Go Hogs!”
Silverfield led Memphis to 10 and 11-win campaigns in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and he owns a 4-1 bowl record with the Tigers. Overall, Silverfield is 2-5 all-time against AP Top-25 opponents and 19-14 in one-possession games.
Members of Silverfield’s staff include offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey and defensive coordinator Jordan Hankins.
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Ryan Silverfield Memphis Bio:
Coaching Experience:
| The Bolles School | Assistant Coach (1999) |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Offensive Assistant (2000) Assistant Coach, Defensive Line (2001-02) Assistant Coach, Tight Ends, H-Backs (2003) |
| Memorial Day High School | Head Coach (2004) |
| Jacksonville | Quarterbacks (2005) |
| Central Florida | Graduate Assistant, Offense (2006) Graduate Assistant, Defense (2007) |
| Minnesota Vikings | Offensive Quality Control Staff, Defensive Line Staff Assistant (2008-10) Assistant Offensive Line Coach (2011-13) |
| Toledo | Offensive Consultant (2014) |
| Arizona State | Senior Offensive Analyst (2015) |
| Detroit Lions | Assistant Offensive Line Coach (2015) |
| Memphis | Assistant Coach, Offensive Line (2016) Run Game Coordinator, Offensive Line (2017) Assistant Head Coach, Run Game Coordinator, Offensive Line (2018) Deputy Head Coach, Run Game Coordinator, Offensive Line (2019) Head Coach (2019-Present) |
