MEMPHIS – The University of Memphis has hired Ryan Silverfield as its football coach, removing the interim tag given to him last Sunday when Mike Norvell left to take over at Florida State.
Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch announced the hiring Friday, saying Memphis met with candidates from all over the country. Veatch, who led the process and did not hire a search firm, said Silverfield won this job outright.
“He separated himself from our national field with his preparation, his own plan for moving us forward and his unwavering passion and commitment to the Memphis football program and our community,” Veatch said. “I am confident that Coach Satterfield is the right man at the right time, and I’m excited to join forces with him in the pursuit of more championships.”
Silverfield was Norvell’s deputy head coach and co-offensive coordinator this year in the program’s best season yet. The No. 15 Tigers (12-1) set the program record for single-season victories, won the American Athletic Conference championship last weekend and will play in a New Year’s Six game when they take on No. 13 Penn State (10-2) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28.
“He identified the needs of our program, along with the characteristics and experience of the individual needed to help this program take the next big step in its remarkable trajectory,” Memphis president M. David Rudd said in a released statement.