Charles Huff is officially the new face of Memphis football, inking a five-year deal worth $10 million to take over the program. The agreement, outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 7, lays the foundation for Huff’s tenure in the Bluff City-and it comes with plenty of incentive for success.
A New Era, A New Deal
Huff steps into the role just over a week after Ryan Silverfield departed for Arkansas. While his starting salary of $1.8 million in Year 1 is less than what Silverfield was making, it’s still a significant bump from Huff’s previous job at Southern Miss-more than double, in fact. By Year 5, Huff’s salary will rise to $2.2 million, with incremental increases each season.
But this deal is about more than just base pay. It’s structured to reward winning-and to protect Memphis if things don’t go as planned.
Buyouts and Breakups: The Financial Fine Print
If Memphis decides to part ways with Huff without cause, the school will owe him 75% of whatever remains on the contract. So, for example, if he’s let go with $10 million still on the table, the university would be on the hook for $7.5 million.
That’s a hefty safety net for Huff, but there’s a catch: he has a duty to mitigate. Translation?
If he gets fired, he’s expected to look for another coaching job, and any new salary would reduce what Memphis owes him.
On the flip side, if Huff chooses to leave the program early, there’s a sliding scale of financial penalties. It starts steep and gets lighter as time goes on:
- Leave before Year 1 ends: $4.5 million owed to Memphis
- Before Year 2 ends: $3.5 million
- Before Year 3 ends: $1.5 million
- Before Year 4 ends: $750,000
- Before Year 5 ends: $250,000
It’s a clear message: Memphis wants stability-and they’re willing to pay for it or be paid in return.
No Automatic Extension Clause (Yet)
One thing noticeably absent from Huff’s MOU is an automatic extension clause. Silverfield’s contract had one-winning nine regular-season games would tack on an extra year; ten wins and a conference title appearance would add two.
Huff’s deal, at least in its current form, doesn’t include that kind of built-in reward. That could change when the full contract is finalized, but for now, it’s not part of the equation.
Comparing the Numbers: Huff vs. Silverfield
Silverfield was set to earn $2.5 million in 2026 under his deal, which was originally a five-year contract before being extended due to on-field success. His assistant coaching salary pool was projected at $4.35 million for that same season. Huff’s MOU doesn’t specify an assistant salary pool, but that’s typically handled in the finalized contract.
So while Huff’s base salary comes in lower than Silverfield’s, the potential for upside is substantial-especially if he starts stacking wins.
Incentives: Winning Pays
Huff’s deal is loaded with performance-based bonuses that reward regular-season success, postseason appearances, and national recognition. Here’s how it breaks down:
- $25,000 for beating a Power Conference team (this goes away if Memphis joins a Power Conference)
- $25,000 for winning 8 regular-season games
- $50,000 for 9 wins
- $75,000 for 10 wins
- $100,000 for 11 wins
- $125,000 for 12 wins
And yes, those bonuses stack. So if Memphis wins 12 games, Huff would collect all the bonuses leading up to that mark-a potential $400,000 just from regular-season wins alone.
But it doesn’t stop there.
- $50,000 for a conference championship appearance
- $100,000 for winning the conference title
- $25,000 for making a bowl game
- $50,000 for winning a bowl game
And if Memphis makes a run at the College Football Playoff? The bonus structure ramps up dramatically, culminating in a $500,000 payout if the Tigers win the national championship.
There’s also $50,000 on the table for being named conference coach of the year or national coach of the year-each.
What It All Means
This contract sends a clear message: Memphis is investing in Charles Huff not just to maintain the program, but to elevate it. The structure rewards winning-and lots of it-while also protecting the university with smart financial safeguards.
Huff gets a significant raise, a multi-year runway, and a chance to build something lasting. Memphis gets a coach with upside, ambition, and a contract that aligns performance with pay.
Now, it’s time to see what Huff can do with it. The blueprint is set.
The incentives are in place. The next chapter of Memphis football is ready to be written.