Memphis’ Silverfield on why he stayed with Tigers
With the turnover surrounding the Memphis coaching staff this offseason, it would have been easy for Ryan Silverfield to be entertained by other offers.
Silverfield — the Tigers’ offensive line coach and run game coordinator — spent nearly seven seasons coaching in the NFL, and has a track record of developing offensives lines that have anchored prolific offense in the pros and in college football.
So why stay; especially when all four assistants who left Memphis after last season landed SEC jobs in Darrell Dickey (Texas A&M), Dan Lanning (Georgia), Marcus Woodson (Auburn) and David Johnson (Tennessee)?
“We’re building something special here and it’s such a unique opportunity and such a wonderful place,” said Silverfield, who was promoted to assistant head coach in January. “I don’t view those other jobs, I have a great one right here and I’m focused on trying to win as many games as we can here and continue to build what we’ve done so far.”
It’s that combination of familiarity and purpose that has Silverfield excited to help build on the foundation the Tigers’ staff has done in the 21⁄2 years since Mike Norvell was hired as head coach.
Not only has Silverfield built up an offensive line that has allowed Memphis to rack up prolific numbers the past two seasons, he’s also been one of the team’s strongest assets in recruiting. He was the primary recruiter for Obinna Eze and TJ Carter when both signed in 2017.
Selling Memphis to potential recruits comes natural because Silverfield said he was quickly sold on Mem-
phis seeing how the community is different than other places he’s worked in.
“Very few cities have such pride in what they are. People take pride in being from here and it’s just awesome,” Silverfield said, “Coach Norvell’s leadership makes it easy to come to work every day and succeed at the highest level.”
Offensive line depth
Before spring practice, Silverfield talked about looking to establish depth in the trenches. Now a month removed from the spring, he sounded much more confident about a position that should be a strength for the Tigers this season.
“This is the most depth that we’ve had at offensive line since I’ve been here,” Silverfield said. “They are realizing they can’t just go through the motions of practice, they got to better every day and they’ve bought into that.”
Silverfield’s favorite word is competition and it’s something he constantly preaches to avoid complacency. Even with four returning starters in Trevon Tate, Drew Kyser, Roger Joseph and Dustin Woodard, there’s an edge to keep improving especially with how younger players like Dylan Parham and Obinna Eze made strides in the spring.
That urgency also stemmed from how last season ended with a loss to Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl. Five months later, it still has a bad taste in Silverfield’s mouth and has been a source of accountability not just for his players, but himself.
“It was a bad game to end on and we take a lot of pride in knowing we didn’t play our best, so what are we going to do to get better,” Silverfield questioned.
The line’s development will be important this season with the Tigers leaning more on their running attack while they search and develop a new quarterback. It’s a challenge Silverfield has embraced with new running backs coach Anthony Jones; who has seen firsthand why he thinks Silverfield is one of the best offensive line coaches in the country.
“He has the expertise from coaching in the NFL, but he can break it down to a high school kid. That’s what makes him so special and unique,” Jones said, “Our job is easy because (the linemen) do such a great job and I really appreciate him taking me under his wing.
For Silverfield, staying in Memphis isn’t just about unfinished business. It’s a love of what the Tigers have done so far and being able to embrace a community unlike any that he’s seen.
And, it’s that love that makes him want to keep contributing in year three under Norvell.
“I think this is the best job in the country and I’m so fortunate to be the offensive line coach here.”