Ryan Silverfield begins tenure as Arkansas Razorbacks head coach for 2026 season

Ryan Silverfield was hired to replace Sam Pittman as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks after the program posted a 2‑10 record in 2025. At Memphis he compiled a 50‑25 record over six seasons, earned ten‑plus wins twice, reached a bowl each year and built a reputation for offensive production and developing NFL talent.

Silverfield will make his first SEC media‑day appearance in Tampa in July and inherits a schedule that opens at home against North Alabama before a road trip to Utah and match‑ups with Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas and LSU. He emphasized a hungry roster, saying “Our players are hungry” in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated.

The coaching staff, largely retained from Memphis, has added a new defensive coordinator from the SEC and focused on revamping the secondary. Coach Deron Wilson stressed unity, noting “When you talk about the secondary, I believe it has to be one,” as the unit integrates 19 new faces and several transfer players such as Jahiem Johnson (Tulane) and LaKhi Roland (Maryland). The Razorbacks hope the cultural and tactical changes will move the program beyond its recent struggles.