With Ryan Silverfield heading to Arkansas to take over the Razorbacks, Memphis football finds itself at a crossroads. The program now begins its search for a new head coach-a decision that will shape the Tigers’ trajectory in a rapidly shifting college football landscape. And while there’s no shortage of intriguing names, a few candidates are already generating serious buzz among fans and insiders alike.
Familiar Faces, Rising Stock
Two names keep coming up in conversations around Memphis: Jerry Mack and Will Stein.
Let’s start with Mack. He’s a Memphis native and no stranger to the program-he was on staff back in 2011.
Since then, he’s built an impressive résumé, with stops at Tennessee and even a stint in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But it’s his latest work at Kennesaw State that’s turning heads.
In just their second season at the FBS level, Mack has engineered a remarkable turnaround-taking the Owls from a 1-11 record to 9-3 and a spot in the Conference USA title game. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident.
It takes vision, leadership, and the ability to get buy-in fast. All of which would play well in Memphis.
Then there’s Will Stein, the offensive coordinator at Oregon. If you like explosive, high-scoring football, Stein’s résumé speaks your language.
He made his name at UTSA, where he helped guide the Roadrunners to an 11-3 season in 2022, averaging 36.8 points per game-good for 14th in the nation. Since joining Oregon, the Ducks have gone 36-4, and this season they’re averaging 38.2 points per game, ranking ninth nationally.
That’s elite territory. Stein’s offensive pedigree, combined with his experience under Dan Lanning (who, interestingly, coached at Memphis under Mike Norvell), makes him a compelling candidate for a program that’s long prided itself on offensive firepower.
Group of Five Contenders
Beyond the frontrunners, there are a few other names worth watching-coaches who’ve proven they can build and sustain success at the Group of Five level.
Jason Eck is one of them. He took over at New Mexico this season after coaching at the FCS level with Idaho, and he’s already made a splash.
The Lobos went 9-3, marking their first winning season since 2016, and they’re playing for a Mountain West title. That kind of turnaround in Year 1 is no small feat.
Then there’s Tyson Helton at Western Kentucky. Steady is the word that comes to mind.
In seven seasons, Helton has compiled a 56-36 record, with only one losing season. He’s delivered six seasons with at least eight wins, though a conference championship has eluded him.
Still, his consistency and experience make him a name to keep in the mix.
Internal and Assistant Options
Of course, Memphis could also look within or to familiar faces around the region.
Tim Cramsey, the Tigers’ current offensive coordinator, is one such option. Since arriving in 2022, Memphis has fielded a top-20 offense each season.
That kind of consistency is hard to ignore. But while the numbers are strong, there have been questions about his playcalling and in-game adjustments-issues that could weigh into the decision.
Tim Banks, Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, also has ties to Memphis. He was an assistant with the Tigers back in 2001 and 2002, and he’s been running the Vols’ defense since 2021.
His tenure in Knoxville has been a bit of a mixed bag. This season, Tennessee ranked 92nd in points allowed, but they were seventh in 2024 and 23rd in 2023.
That kind of variance makes him a bit of a wild card, but his experience and Memphis roots give him a shot.
Then there’s Brennan Marion, currently the head coach at Sacramento State. He’s known for developing the innovative GoGo offense and had a strong run as UNLV’s offensive coordinator in 2023 and 2024, where the Rebels ranked 22nd and 15th in points per game, respectively. Marion’s offensive mind is respected, but he comes with some baggage-his reputation in coaching circles isn’t spotless, and that could be a factor.
The Long Shots
And finally, there are the big names-the wild cards that would shake up the coaching carousel if they were to materialize.
Mike Norvell is a name that still carries weight in Memphis. From 2016 to 2019, he led the Tigers to some of their best seasons in program history, including a conference championship.
He left for Florida State, where he initially struggled but then surged-going 10-3 in 2022 and 13-1 with an undefeated regular season in 2023. But the last two years have been rough: 2-10 and 5-7.
He’s under contract at FSU through 2031, and the administration has said he’ll be back next year. Still, the pressure is building in Tallahassee, and in college football, nothing is ever truly off the table.
Then there’s Hugh Freeze. Recently let go by Auburn after three straight losing seasons, Freeze is a coach with a complicated legacy.
He had success at Ole Miss before resigning in 2017 amid personal and NCAA issues. He bounced back at Liberty with a 10-1 season in 2020 but couldn’t get it going at Auburn.
Whether he’s ready to jump back in or take time away remains to be seen, but his name carries weight-especially in the South.
What’s Next for Memphis?
This is a pivotal moment for Memphis football. The Tigers have built a reputation as a high-scoring, competitive Group of Five program with the potential to punch above its weight. The next head coach will need to sustain that identity while pushing the program forward-especially with conference realignment continuing to reshape the college football world.
Whether Memphis looks to a hometown favorite, an offensive innovator, a proven program builder, or a familiar face from the past, the decision will speak volumes about where the program sees itself-and where it wants to go.
One thing’s for sure: the Memphis job is a good one. And the list of candidates reflects that.