Arkansas Targets Memphis' Ryan Silverfield as New Head Coach: A Look at the Transition and Challenges Ahead
Arkansas has set its sights on Memphis' Ryan Silverfield as the next head coach, according to sources. Silverfield takes over from Sam Pittman, who was let go after a six-season stint with a 32-34 record. Silverfield, who was previously the offensive line coach and associate head coach under Mike Norvell, was promoted to head coach at Memphis in 2020. During his tenure, he achieved a 50-24 record, with an AP Top 25 finish in 2024. Despite leading the Tigers to 21 wins in two years, Silverfield ended his time at Memphis with an 8-4 record in 2025, falling short of a conference championship in the American Conference. Now, Silverfield faces the challenge of reviving Arkansas, which ended the season with a 2-10 record under interim coach Bobby Petrino, marking the program's worst finish since 2019. The Razorbacks have a tough schedule ahead in 2026, including matchups against Utah, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt. Additionally, Silverfield will need to fill the void left by key players Taylen Green, Mike Washington, and O'Mega Blake, who are no longer eligible to play. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.