Coaching Consistency Breeds Success For Memphis
We are now 11 weeks from the Memphis Football.
As we continue the preview of the Tigers football season, we now analyze the head coach, Ryan Silverfield, and the staff, along with how this staff can affect a new look roster for fans.
Silverfield Has Success
Despite many naysayers, Silverfield has been successful at Memphis. To further this point, Silverfield is the only coach in program history to have back-to-back ten-win seasons. You may recall that the Tigers finished 11-2 last season, including another bowl win, in the Frisco Bowl, over a “Power” conference opponent in West Virginia. This was following the 2023 slate, where Memphis capped a 10-3 season with a Liberty Bowl win over Iowa State.
How does Silverfield continue this success after losing 35 seniors, including signal caller Seth Henigan, the nation’s only four-year starter in 2023? We have covered in detail the heightened abilities of this staff to identify talent. Since the 2021 season, Memphis has done an exceptional job of utilizing the high school ranks and transfer portal. More importantly, the Tigers’ staff has been nearly flawless in how these players are used during the season.
Memphis has done something not many programs can: retain their assistant coaches. With this retention comes consistency, which is the groundwork for success under Silverfield.
Retention Breeds Consistency
We mention the staff because they are vital to the success of the players. Having men and women around a head coach whom he can trust is key. The names we are about to discuss epitomize that for Memphis.
For now, fourth-year Offensive Coordinator Tim Cramsey sees the 2025 season as one of new challenges along with optimism. Despite losing Henigan and a plethora of receivers, Cramsey has loads of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Who will start at QB? While we assume it will be Brandon Lewis from Nevada, we will find out in the weeks leading up to the Chattanooga game on August 30th, from Memphis.
This is one of many questions that will be answered in this unit this season. For a coordinator who was a name heard in many searches over the last few offseasons, we see Cramsey wants to continue to build the Memphis brand, which is not seen often in today’s college athletics.
On the defensive side of the ball, players have shown the ability to “buy in” to what Jordon Hankins is selling. As Hankins enters his second full season as Defensive Coordinator, this unit will be vital for success. Last season, the secondary allowed many yards through the air while stifling offenses attempting to run. While we expect the tough front seven for Memphis in 2025, we project the secondary to be improved.
We also see Chris White, Special Teams Coordinator, who returns for his second season. This unit has been revitalized under the tutelage of White, as we have seen numerous upticks in performance from kicking to returning kicks. As Sutton Smith returns, could we see the return of an electric playmaker in special teams? We can assure you, Coach White and the Tigers
We see many players who had valuable D1 starts come to Memphis who want to make an immediate impact on not just the defense, but the team as a whole.
Effect of Staff On Team
In the end, winning the game matters. While many fans expect a certain number of points to be scored no matter the opponent, winning at this, or any, level is not easy to do. Silverfield enters the 2025 season with a 42-21 overall record as head coach at Memphis.
In some eyes, this is not acceptable because of a “weak conference,” but when you look at the larger picture, the national optics, Memphis is a hot commodity. Especially in football, where Memphis is one of eight teams with eleven straight seasons of bowl appearances. This success comes down to coaches trusting the players on the field.
The coaches showing loyalty and consistency to Memphis affect this program’s future. It also proves that with support from the administration, this program can be special in more than just the Bluff City, but also across the nation.
In closing, for Memphis to continue its streak of success, the coaches on the sidelines are pivotal. In what will be a key season for Silverfield and staff, we will have all eyes on how they can maneuver the waters and continue to win games. As the season nears, this is one of many storylines to stay in tune with. We will have much more next week, as we will be ten weeks from the season kicking off.
