Exciting Hire: Arkansas Welcomes Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield as New Head Coach

The Arkansas Razorbacks have a new head coach: Ryan Silverfield. This update comes from On3’s Brett McMurphy. Silverfield, who was previously head coach at Memphis, has been the quiet favorite for the role, despite early rumors suggesting USF coach Alex Golesh would take the position.

At 45, Silverfield led Memphis from 2020, turning the team into a top contender among Group of Five schools. Over his three years, he recorded an impressive 29-9 record, making him one of the highest-performing coaches in that time frame.

His record against other coaches is noteworthy, too. Silverfield went 3-0 against Golesh and also had wins over coaches heading to other programs, like Eric Morris of North Texas and Matt Campbell from Iowa State. His overall record at Memphis stands at 50 wins to 25 losses, with a 27-21 mark in American Conference play. He also achieved four bowl victories—the most in Memphis history—all against high-profile opponents like Arkansas and Florida State.

The offensive stats are impressive, too. Under Silverfield, Memphis had a streak of scoring at least 20 points in 51 consecutive games. Meanwhile, the defense allowed about 23 points per game in the last two seasons, showcasing a well-rounded program.

Before leading Memphis, Silverfield was an offensive line coach under Mike Norvell and spent seven seasons in the NFL. This background has given him a knack for combining data-driven recruiting with effective player development, skills he’ll aim to bring to Arkansas.

Arkansas is recovering from a tough 2025 season, finishing 2-10 and resulting in the firing of coach Sam Pittman. Bobby Petrino stepped in as the interim coach, but the team struggled, ending the season winless in SEC play. This marked a grim repeat for Arkansas, as they hadn’t gone winless in the conference since 2019. Pittman had previously shown that Arkansas could compete at a high level, even achieving a top-25 finish while he was head coach.

With Silverfield at the helm, fans and analysts are hoping for a turnaround. His leadership style and proven track record could help the Razorbacks regain their competitive edge.

As we look to the future, experts predict that Silverfield’s analytical approach may revolutionize the Razorbacks’ strategy. The NCAA is constantly evolving, and teams that adapt quickly often find success. Adding data analytics to player development and in-game strategy might be exactly what Arkansas needs to rise once more.

For more insights on the Razorbacks’ journey and coaching changes, you can visit [ESPN’s coverage on college football](https://www.espn.com/college-football/).

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