Arkansas Set to Hire Silverfield as New Head Coach
Arkansas is finalizing the hiring of Ryan Silverfield as the new head coach for its football team. This decision follows the dismissal of Sam Pittman, who was relieved of his duties on September 28 after a rocky start to the season.
Background on Ryan Silverfield
Ryan Silverfield, age 46, brings a strong record to Arkansas, having been the head coach at Memphis. During his tenure, he achieved a 50-25 record, with notable victories against Power 5 opponents, including a win against Arkansas in September. Silverfield has led Memphis to four consecutive bowl game victories over teams like West Virginia and Iowa State.
Coaching Journey
- Promoted to Head Coach at Memphis in December 2019.
- Coached Memphis during the Cotton Bowl in 2019.
- Previously served as the offensive line coach at Memphis from 2016 to 2019.
- Had coaching stints in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.
During his six full seasons with the Tigers, Silverfield consistently won eight or more games. He also led Memphis to a 6-2 record in conference play in both of the previous two seasons, although the team finished with a 4-4 record this fall.
Transition at Arkansas
Sam Pittman’s firing came after a disappointing start to the season, ending with a record of 2-3. Following his dismissal, Bobby Petrino stepped in as the interim head coach. Unfortunately, the Razorbacks struggled under Petrino, losing their final seven games.
Other Coaching Candidates
Prior to Silverfield’s confirmation, South Florida’s Alex Golesh was considered a potential candidate for the Arkansas position. However, he was named the head coach at Auburn instead.
This shift in coaching leadership signals a new direction for Arkansas football, with Silverfield expected to bring his successful strategies to the team.
