Sat Sep 20 19:30:00 UTC 2025: **Memphis and Arkansas Football Coaches Share Similar Paths Despite Contrasting Personalities Ahead of Saturday’s Matchup**
MEMPHIS, TN – In a surprising twist, Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman and Memphis Tigers coach Ryan Silverfield share similar coaching journeys despite their contrasting personalities. Pittman, a 63-year-old with a folksy charm, and Silverfield, a younger, Florida native, both took unconventional routes to their head coaching positions.
Pittman built his career as an offensive line coach at ten different FBS schools, while Silverfield worked in various analyst and assistant roles at the high school, college, and NFL levels. Both coaches faced doubts when they were hired due to their lack of coordinator experience.
Since then Silverfield’s Tigers have found their stride, winning double-digit games in consecutive seasons and becoming a serious contender for the Group of Five’s guaranteed College Football Playoff slot.
Ahead of their first matchup since the turn of the millennium, Pittman and Silverfield have developed a solid relationship, owing to the hospitality Arkansas has received at the Liberty Bowl. Silverfield went out of his way to accommodate the Razorbacks during their visits.
However, Silverfield isn’t afraid to speak his mind, recently taking an unprompted shot at Georgia’s Kirby Smart over the program’s driving incidents.
With Arkansas facing a challenging season and Silverfield gaining recognition for his success at Memphis, Saturday’s clash at the Liberty Bowl holds significant weight for both programs. For the Razorbacks, it’s a crucial must-win game, while for Silverfield, it’s an opportunity to further elevate his team’s and his own profile.
First Piper 