Razorbacks hire Ryan Silverfield as new head football coach on Sunday

Silverfield’s move from Memphis to Arkansas begins a new phase for the program, aiming for dependable improvement ahead

Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield walks to the sidelines after a timeout during the game between Memphis and Tulane at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. | Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas ended its two-month coaching search Sunday by hiring Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield, turning toward a leader with a strong record but no direct SEC coaching experience.

That detail may define the early debates surrounding this move, especially after weeks of speculation about more familiar conference names.

The decision comes after the Razorbacks were linked to South Florida’s Alex Golesh, who denied interest before accepting the Auburn job, clearing the way for Silverfield’s appointment.

Only one week before Pittman was fired, Silverfield’s Memphis team rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the Hogs 32-31, a loss that still lingered among fans.

Now the coach who orchestrated that comeback is tasked with rebuilding Arkansas, and his introductory message came quickly.

“I can’t wait to get to Fayetteville and get started,” Silverfield said in a video posted Sunday. “We’re going to bring a lot of success to the Hogs.”

First words from your Head Hog 🎤 pic.twitter.com/keGjID7w1c

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 30, 2025

Athletics director Hunter Yurachek emphasized Silverfield’s alignment with the school’s long-term vision. Yurachek said it became clear through conversations that Silverfield shares the goal of eventually competing for national championships and earning a place in the expanded College Football Playoff.

For the Razorbacks, that ambition has been difficult to reach through recent coaching changes, and the administration sees this hire as a step toward stability.

Still, the question remains whether Silverfield can navigate an SEC schedule without any prior coaching background in the league. Success in the AAC does not guarantee success in a conference known for its depth, pressure and recruiting intensity. That uncertainty will follow the Hogs into next season as they adjust to new leadership.

Yurachek said Silverfield’s winning history separated him from the rest of the candidate pool. Memphis went 50-25 under his direction, and he earned 49 wins since 2020 — the third most in college football during that span.

That level of consistency appealed to Arkansas, which has not found steady success since its early years under Pittman.

According to the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the buyout owed to Memphis will cost $1.5 million. The Tigers thanked Silverfield in a statement Sunday, and the school moved quickly to name Reggie Howard interim coach for the upcoming bowl game.

The Razorbacks will introduce Silverfield on Thursday, and he will inherit a roster now facing questions about personnel decisions, staff structure and scheme transitions.

Got it in writing ✍️✅ pic.twitter.com/Sv3P3P6Vfd

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 30, 2025

Record strong, but the SEC is a different challenge

Silverfield built a résumé that stands among the best in the AAC. He took over in late 2019 after Mike Norvell left for Florida State and kept Memphis in postseason contention.

His first three seasons produced records of 8-3, 6-6 and 7-6 before Memphis hit its stride with 10 and 11 wins in 2023 and 2024.

The team won bowls over Iowa State and West Virginia and finished No. 23 in the AP poll last year, giving the Hogs a coach who knows how to sustain success.

This season began with Memphis at 6-0 and ranked No. 22, sparking hopes of competing for the non-power conference playoff spot.

But after an upset loss to UAB, the Tigers finished the year with a three-game losing streak, falling to Tulane, East Carolina and Navy. That late-season slide raised new questions for Arkansas, particularly about how momentum may carry into Fayetteville.

Silverfield’s head-to-head success over other AAC coaches who earned Power 4 jobs this cycle — including a 3-0 mark against Golesh and 2-0 against Eric Morris — helps his case.

Still, the SEC poses unique challenges no AAC schedule can replicate.

Recruiting battles shift, roster depth demands rise and the weekly competition grows sharper. For the Razorbacks, the challenge is determining how quickly Silverfield can make that transition.

His journey to this position includes stops across high school, the NFL and several college roles. He worked for the Minnesota Vikings from 2008–13, served as an offensive consultant at Toledo, and spent a season with the Detroit Lions.

He also coached at Jacksonville University and UCF before joining Norvell’s staff at Memphis. But none of those experiences involved the daily grind of SEC pressure, a concern that follows him to the Hogs.

Fan reaction Sunday was mixed, and a small group of protesters briefly gathered outside the Jerry & Gene Jones Center.

Their presence reflected lingering doubts about the hire, even as many others expressed optimism about bringing in a coach who has won consistently at multiple levels. The split matched the mood of a fan base eager for progress but unsure how Silverfield will handle the jump.

Fit, experience, expectations define next steps

As the transition begins, the defining question continues to hover: can Silverfield adjust to the SEC fast enough to stabilize Arkansas?

He brings a calm presence and a history of steady results, but the conference demands more than system building. It demands speed, depth, and an understanding of a league where even small mistakes become magnified.

The Razorbacks hope their investment, combined with Silverfield’s track record, will push the program forward. The opportunity is significant for both sides — a coach entering the league for the first time and a program looking to regain ground in a tough conference. How Silverfield navigates that challenge will shape the early years of his tenure.

For now, the Hogs turn a long search into a new beginning. Silverfield arrives with questions, expectations and a fresh mandate. Whether he becomes the fit the program has been searching for will be tested the moment the SEC schedule begins.

Key takeaways

1. Arkansas hired Ryan Silverfield despite having no previous SEC coaching experience.
2. Silverfield brings a strong Memphis track record but enters a tougher league.
3. Reactions were mixed as the Razorbacks look for long-term stability.