FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas has officially named Ryan Silverfield as the 35th head coach of the Razorbacks football program, pulling the successful Memphis leader to lead a team hungry for a turnaround after a disappointing 4-8 season under former coach Sam Pittman. Silverfield, 45, brings a proven track record of consistent wins and offensive firepower to Fayetteville, but the hire has already sparked protests from a segment of the fanbase.
Silverfield signed a five-year, $33.5 million contract with Arkansas, averaging $6.7 million annually—a figure comparable to Pittman’s previous deal. The Razorbacks will pay Memphis a $1.5 million buyout to release him from his previous contract, where he earned $2.25 million this year.
During his six seasons at Memphis (2019-2025), Silverfield compiled a 50-25 record, achieving bowl eligibility every year and extending the Tigers’ streak to 12 consecutive bowl appearances—the longest among non-Power 4 programs. His teams notched back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, with 29 victories over the last three years ranking in the national Top 15. The 2024 squad finished 11-2, capped by a Frisco Bowl win over West Virginia, and earned final rankings of No. 23 in the Coaches Poll and No. 24 in the AP Poll.
Offensively, Silverfield’s Tigers averaged over 30 points per game each season, with the 2025 unit ranking No. 19 in FBS at 34.6 ppg. Defensively, improvements were evident in 2025, allowing 22.5 ppg (best under Silverfield) and ranking third in the American Athletic Conference in yards allowed (361.1) with a +9 turnover margin (13th nationally).
Silverfield’s coaching journey spans over 18 years, including stints in high school (head coach at Memorial Day High School at age 23), college (Hampden-Sydney, Jacksonville U, UCF, Toledo, Arizona State), and the NFL (Minnesota Vikings 2008-13, Detroit Lions 2015). He joined Memphis in 2016 as offensive line coach, rising to head coach in 2019 after Mike Norvell’s departure to Florida State. Twice named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year, Silverfield set records in his debut season with an 8-3 mark and top national rankings in offense.
“It became clear during our conversations that Coach Silverfield shares our vision of making the College Football Playoffs and competing for a national championship,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek. “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.”
Silverfield, a Jacksonville, Fla., native, brings his wife Katie and twin daughters Adeline and Celicia to Arkansas.
The announcement comes after an extended coaching search following Pittman’s firing, but not all fans are on board. Dozens gathered outside the UA Athlete Success Center in Fayetteville Sunday morning to protest, citing the program’s “downward slope” and frustration with the hire not meeting expectations. One protester told 5NEWS: “We’re just protesting because we’re upset with the state of the program and the direction that it looks like it’s going into… it’s been a downward slope the last few years.” Another expressed disappointment in Yurachek: “It’s disappointing that we can’t get a candidate that we want. That’s nothing against Silverfield, I’m going to get behind him as a fan, but I’m pretty frustrated with Yurachek.”
The protest dispersed shortly after the official confirmation. Silverfield’s introductory press conference is scheduled for Monday.
Memphis now begins its search for a new coach, with the Tigers’ future looking bright after recent successes.
