The University of Arkansas has appointed Ryan Silverfield as the new head coach of the Razorbacks following a challenging 2-10 season. The announcement came on Sunday, marking Silverfield as the 35th individual to hold this position. Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek highlighted Silverfield’s proven track record, emphasizing his capacity to achieve consistent victories as a key factor in the decision.
Silverfield arrives at Arkansas after a successful six-year tenure with the Memphis Tigers, where he recorded a commendable overall record of 50-25. His recent performance included a notable 10-3 record in 2023 and an impressive 11-2 record in 2024. Memphis reached a ranking as high as No. 22 this past season before concluding with an 8-4 record. Throughout his coaching career, Silverfield has also demonstrated success in postseason play, going 4-0 in bowl games, excluding one appearance in the Cotton Bowl while serving as interim coach in December 2019.
The transition comes in the wake of a disappointing season for the Razorbacks, which culminated in a 31-17 loss at home to Missouri. This defeat highlighted Arkansas’s struggles, as they finished the season with an 0-8 record against Southeastern Conference opponents, marking the third instance of such a record since 2018. Bobby Petrino, who stepped in as interim coach following the firing of Sam Pittman on September 28, was unable to secure a victory in his tenure.
In response to Silverfield’s departure, Ed Scott, the athletic director at Memphis, expressed gratitude for Silverfield’s contributions and extended well wishes for his future endeavors. Meanwhile, Memphis has appointed Reggie Howard as interim coach while conducting a national search for a permanent replacement.
As Arkansas embarks on a new chapter with Silverfield at the helm, the focus will be on revitalizing the program and restoring its competitive edge in the SEC. The upcoming season will present an opportunity for Silverfield to demonstrate his coaching prowess and lead the Razorbacks back to prominence.
