The Arkansas football coaching seat is wide open after Sam Pittman’s firing. The move came after a brutal 56-13 loss to Notre Dame left fans booing and the locker room echoing with disappointment. But now the same fans are staring at the empty throne at Fayetteville and guessing what’s next. Bobby Petrino now leads as the interim coach, but the search for a new head coach is already underway. But even Petrino doesn’t have a clear favorite percentage to lead the Razorbacks (19%). So who does?

Enter Memphis Tigers’ head man Ryan Silverfield, the $12.25 million coach whose stock is soaring in Fayetteville’s rumor mill. As per On3’s Brett McMurphy, “Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield is the favorite to be Arkansas’ next coach via @Kalshi. Silverfield is at 24%, then Florida State OC Gus Malzahn (20%), Tulane’s Jon Sumrall (19%) & Arkansas interim coach/OC Bobby Petrino (19%).”

Silverfield’s success in his coaching career hasn’t gone unnoticed. When Mike Norvell left for Florida State, Memphis had a decision to make. The players made it easy by overwhelmingly backing Silverfield, who had been the offensive line coach and deputy head coach.

They respected him for taking the time to know them personally. Silverfield even learned some Igbo to text one of his Nigerian linemen, Obinna Eze, showing a rare commitment to connection. Over the seasons, Silverfield pushed the Tigers to a 36-34 overall record by 2025. But the ongoing season became the real deal-breaker for Silverfield’s rising stocks. The Tigers have earned a spot at 22nd in the 2025 AP Poll after Week 10. With an 8-1 record, Memphis is riding high. And all thanks to a potent rushing attack that has scored 30 rushing touchdowns, the most in FBS this season. And it’s not just that. 

The Memphis Tigers are charging ahead in the Group of Five’s thrilling race for a College Football Playoff spot this season. Although no Group of Five team cracked the first CFP top 25, Memphis is widely seen as the top G5 contender and sits on the bubble for the 12-team playoff bracket. They are projected as the 12th seed. What’s the secret sauce? Depth and resilience. Last year’s standout team had stars like Seth Henigan, but this season’s squad is a fresh batch. Their 32-31 comeback win over Arkansas, overcoming an 18-point deficit, was a defining moment showcasing their grit.

And even if this wasn’t enough, like Sam Pittman, Silverfield built his career in the trenches. He made stops in the NFL with the Vikings and Lions. Plus, a handful of FBS programs, before landing in Memphis as the Tigers’ O-line coach.

On top of that, Silverfield’s got strong connections all over the South, especially in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. His time at Memphis helped him build great relationships with high school coaches in those talent-heavy areas that overlap with Arkansas’s recruiting turf.

Who else is in the mix? 

The Razorbacks are firmly in need of a new leader, and Ryan Silverfield is not the only top candidate at Fayetteville. North Texas coach Eric Morris is another intriguing name. Eric has a big game coming up with undefeated Navy. If UNT pulls off a surprise and reaches the playoffs, patience might wear thin on Arkansas’s side about waiting for him to finish the season.

Then there’s Gus Malzahn, with a 20% chance, just under Ryan Silverfield, who can be a good replacement. He is known for his dynamic hurry-up, no-huddle offense from his Auburn days. Malzahn brings experience winning tough SEC games and recruiting in the South. Then there’s South Florida’s coach, Alex Golesh. He was once the media darling after big upsets early this year, but cooled off after losses to Miami and Memphis. Still, his ties to Arkansas through his wife and the potential of his program make him a viable candidate.

Jeff Sumrall at Tulane has made headlines lately but for the wrong reasons, calling out UTSA for alleged cheating, which backfired after a blowout loss. His fiery personality may raise eyebrows for Arkansas insiders. Plus, his current run with the Green Waves, standing at 6-2, cannot be ignored. And most importantly, Tulane has its Week 11 clash with Memphis. Yes, this game will be the final call for a G5 placement in the CFP.