On Sunday the Razorback program announced Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield as their next head coach after the firing of Sam Pittman in September. Pittman was dismissed from the program after a gruesome 56-13 loss to Notre Dame and ended his career 32-34 in Fayetteville.
The absence of Pittman allowed offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino the chance to make amends and carry out a second stint as head coach of the Razorbacks. Despite Petrino going 0-7 in his interim position, the coach expressed gratitude for the chance to lead the program once more.
"Second chances are hard to come by in this business, and I know how rare it is to return to a place that has always meant so much," Petrino said in the letter. "Being back on the Arkansas sideline has been both an honor and a privilege, and I've appreciated every day of it", the coach stated shortly after Thanksgiving.
As Arkansas looks forward and aims to put a disastrous 2025 behind them, changes seem to be abound for Petrinos position and per reporst from 4 Star Sports Media, Silverfield is looking to do what many new head coaches do; bring their guys with them.
Tim Cramsey, who served as offensive coordinator for Memphis, is now looking to take over the same position for the Razorbacks. While there's no argument that the caliber of defenders and DCs present in the SEC are of a far higher quality than that of the AAC, there is a good case to be made for the coordinator.
Aside from bringing in continuity for the new head coaching hire, Memphis boasted a stellar record throughout the season, posting an 8-4 record and scoring over 30 points in eight of twelve games played.
Signalling strength and stability through early hiring also comes at crucial time as the program looks to move on from Taylen Green in 2026 and recruiting needs for offense are at an all time high.
Whether or not Silverfield and Cramsey are the answers for this program to once again start treading in the right direction remains to be seen, but with a disastrous 2025, it is inarguable that it can hardly get worse.