FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas has named Ryan Silverfield as the 35th head coach in program history, bringing in the former Memphis leader after six seasons and a 50–25 record.
The university announced the hire Sunday afternoon following a national search conducted by athletics director Hunter Yurachek.
Silverfield guided Memphis to bowl eligibility in each of his six years as head coach.
His teams posted back-to-back double-digit win seasons in 2023 and 2024 and extended the Tigers’ streak of consecutive bowl appearances to 12, the longest run among non-Power-4 programs.
The 2025 team finished with eight wins and secured a ninth straight winning season. Yurachek said those results set Silverfield apart from the field.
“Throughout the search process, Coach Silverfield’s proven ability to win games over a sustained period separated him from the pack,” Yurachek said in the announcement. “His knowledge of our state and region will provide a great foundation for our program moving forward.”
Memphis ranked No. 19 nationally in scoring offense this season, averaging 34.6 points per game. It marked the fourth straight year the Tigers finished in the top 25 in scoring.
Silverfield’s teams have averaged at least 30 points per game each season he has been head coach, illustrating a track record of offensive consistency.
The Tigers also made strides defensively in 2025. Memphis allowed 22.5 points per game, its lowest average under Silverfield, and finished third in the American Conference in total defense by giving up just 361.1 yards per contest.
The unit forced 19 turnovers and posted a plus-9 turnover margin, ranking 13th nationally in that category.
Yurachek noted that Arkansas has made a significant financial commitment to football and believes Silverfield’s vision aligns with the university’s stated goal of reaching the College Football Playoff.
He said that Silverfield’s approach to roster building, program development and staff continuity gave Arkansas confidence in a long-term partnership.
Silverfield served in several roles at Memphis before being promoted to head coach in December 2019. He joined the staff in 2016 as offensive line coach, then worked as run game coordinator, assistant head coach and deputy head coach.
Before arriving at Memphis, he coached at Arizona State, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Central Florida and in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, giving him experience on both sides of the ball.
One of Silverfield’s most notable player development accomplishments came in 2021 when he helped quarterback Seth Henigan earn Freshman All-America honors.
Henigan passed for 3,322 yards and 25 touchdowns, breaking Memphis’ freshman passing record.
Silverfield also helped Memphis win bowl games in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history. The 2024 team went 11–2 and ended the year ranked No. 23 in the Coaches Poll and No. 24 in the AP Poll. That group earned the program’s highest AP finish since 2019.
The coach brings his wife, Katie, and their two daughters, Adeline and Celicia, to Fayetteville.
Yurachek said their transition to Arkansas will begin immediately as Silverfield works to build his first staff with the Hogs and begin roster evaluations.
Silverfield becomes Arkansas’ fourth head coach in the last decade. The school hopes this move provides stability after recent turnover and a challenging stretch in SEC play.
With the program making deeper investment in football, Arkansas aims to move toward postseason contention in the coming years.
Yurachek said the search committee was drawn to Silverfield’s energy and consistent winning record.
“We are confident we now have the coach and resources to make that happen,” he said, adding that the Razorbacks expect to compete for championships again under new leadership.
The move closes a coaching search that began following the decision to restructure the football program earlier this fall.
Silverfield will now take over recruiting efforts and oversee offseason development as Arkansas prepares for 2026. The school did not release contract terms Sunday.
The Razorbacks have previously hired from both inside and outside the Power-5 ranks, and administrators hope Silverfield’s combination of experience, regional ties and proven results can guide the next phase of the program.
While he has never coached in the SEC, his six years leading a successful American Conference program serve as the foundation for his next challenge.
Arkansas believes Silverfield’s offensive consistency and player development background fit what the program needs.
With several roster decisions ahead and staff positions to fill, his first months on the job will focus on establishing system expectations and building a framework for the coming season.
Silverfield’s track record at Memphis
Silverfield’s offensive units at Memphis were among the most productive in the nation over the past four seasons.
Each team scored at least 30 points per game, and the Tigers finished inside the top 20 nationally in scoring three straight years.
The 2025 group averaged 452.8 yards per game and finished with six wins by double digits.
Memphis’ growth on defense was also a factor in Silverfield’s rise. This season’s improvement led to bowl eligibility once again, reinforcing the program’s consistency.
His teams forced turnovers at a high rate and showed steady progress in tackling and red-zone efficiency.
That balance helped Memphis secure its longest bowl streak in program history.
The Tigers’ overall record under Silverfield reflects stability and development, qualities Arkansas administrators highlighted as key reasons for his hiring.
Coaching background and leadership
Before taking over at Memphis, Silverfield held various roles across the college and professional ranks.
His six years with the Minnesota Vikings included positions on both offense and defense, contributing to a broad understanding of game planning.
His earlier coaching stops ranged from small colleges to major programs, shaping a career marked by versatility.
At Memphis, Silverfield built strong relationships with players and staff, a trait Yurachek referenced in Sunday’s announcement.
Arkansas expects those leadership qualities to translate to its locker room as the program undergoes its transition.
Silverfield will now begin staffing decisions and meet with current players.
Arkansas’ athletic department said updates on his first offseason with the Hogs will be released in the coming weeks.
