Arkansas Locks In Its New Coordinators Under Ryan Silverfield: What Razorback Fans Can Expect
FAYETTEVILLE - The Ryan Silverfield era at Arkansas is officially underway, and on Tuesday, the Razorbacks took a major step toward shaping their identity by locking in their three coordinator hires. Tim Cramsey will run the offense, Ron Roberts takes over the defense, and Chad Lunsford will lead special teams. Each brings a distinct pedigree, and together, they form a staff that blends experience, adaptability, and a track record of building competitive units.
Let’s break down what each coordinator brings to the table - and what it could mean for Arkansas football moving forward.
Tim Cramsey: A Familiar Face with a Proven Offense
Cramsey and Silverfield are far from strangers. The two worked side by side at Memphis over the last four seasons, with Cramsey serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. That continuity matters - especially when you're trying to hit the ground running in the SEC.
Cramsey’s offenses at Memphis weren’t just productive - they were consistently among the best in the American Athletic Conference. The Tigers finished top four in scoring offense every year under his watch, including leading the AAC in both 2023 and 2024. This past season, Memphis averaged 34.6 points per game, good for third in the league, and racked up 420.7 yards per game - sixth-best in total offense.
His system has shown flexibility, too. While Memphis was consistently strong through the air for most of his tenure, 2025 saw a dip in passing production. Still, the offense remained efficient and dangerous, a testament to Cramsey’s ability to adapt to his personnel.
Before Memphis, Cramsey called plays at Marshall, Sam Houston State, and Nevada, among others. He’s coached in a variety of offensive systems and knows how to tailor schemes to fit the talent on hand. That’s going to be key as Arkansas continues to rebuild its roster and find its offensive identity under Silverfield.
Ron Roberts: Defensive Experience with SEC Battle Scars
Roberts brings SEC seasoning to Fayetteville - and plenty of it. He spent the last two seasons at Florida and the 2023 campaign at Auburn under Hugh Freeze. While the Gators’ defenses under Roberts didn’t light up the stat sheet - finishing 12th in the SEC in scoring defense both years - they did show flashes of toughness and discipline.
In 2025, Florida allowed 24 points per game and just under 277 yards per contest. Those numbers might not jump off the page, but they reflect a unit that was often asked to do a lot with limited support on the other side of the ball.
Roberts is perhaps best known for his time at Baylor, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2020 to 2022. His defenses there were aggressive, physical, and opportunistic - traits Arkansas fans would love to see replicated. After parting ways with Baylor head coach Dave Aranda, Roberts was quickly scooped up by Freeze at Auburn, a sign of how respected he remains in coaching circles.
He’s a coach who knows the grind of the SEC and understands what it takes to slow down the high-octane offenses that dominate the league. If he can bring some of that Baylor defensive fire to the Razorbacks, Arkansas could see a much-needed boost on that side of the ball.
Chad Lunsford: Special Teams Ace with Head Coaching Chops
Lunsford rounds out the trio as special teams coordinator, and he brings a unique mix of experience - including a head coaching stint - to Arkansas. He spent 2025 at Auburn overseeing special teams and previously spent three seasons at Florida Atlantic, where he even served as interim head coach for two games in 2024.
But Razorback fans might know him best from his time at Georgia Southern, where he served as head coach from 2018 to 2021. Before that, he was a key assistant for five years, handling everything from receivers and tight ends to recruiting and special teams.
Lunsford’s special teams units have historically been aggressive and well-coached. Back in 2016, he was a Broyles Award nominee - given to the nation’s top assistant coach - after Georgia Southern blocked seven kicks and kicker Younghoe Koo earned Lou Groza Award finalist honors. He also coached Tyler Bass, now with the Buffalo Bills, during his time with the Eagles.
Special teams often get overlooked, but they can swing games - especially in the SEC. Lunsford’s track record suggests Arkansas will be fundamentally sound and opportunistic in that phase of the game.
What This Means for Arkansas
With these hires, Silverfield is surrounding himself with coaches he trusts and who have been in the trenches - not just in Group of Five programs, but in the heart of the SEC. Cramsey gives the Razorbacks a creative offensive mind with a history of scoring points in bunches.
Roberts brings SEC-tested defensive leadership. And Lunsford offers special teams expertise with head coaching experience to boot.
It’s a staff that’s built to compete now, but also to grow with the program. There’s still work to be done - especially on the recruiting trail and in the portal - but the foundation is being laid. And with these three coordinators in place, Arkansas is starting to take shape under Silverfield’s leadership.