Ryan Silverfield, the head coach of Memphis football, is set to leave his position to take on the same role at Arkansas, as reported on November 30. Silverfield has been the program’s head coach since 2019, following the departure of Mike Norvell, and has achieved a record of 50-24 during his tenure with the Tigers. His coaching career at Memphis kicked off with a Cotton Bowl appearance in 2019.
Throughout his time with the Tigers, Silverfield led the team to bowl games each season, although the 2021 Hawaii Bowl did not occur due to the Rainbow Warriors’ inability to compete. Despite consistent success and being recognized as one of the leading teams in the Group of Five, Silverfield’s tenure was marked by the team’s failure to reach the American Conference title game.
This season, Memphis completed the regular season with an 8-4 record and is set to participate in a bowl game. However, a sense of restlessness among fans has emerged as the team has struggled to maintain appearances in the title game, posing a challenge for Silverfield’s successor. The new coach will inherit the responsibility of redirecting the Tigers to compete for conference championships, a goal that has eluded the program in recent years.
As Memphis prepares for a new chapter, the future holds potential for growth and renewed ambition within the football program.