Ryan Silverfield answers question about future at Memphis football

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Amid speculation about his future, Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield said he’s focused on the Tigers’ upcoming game against Navy.

“First off, I’m thrilled to be the head coach here,” Silverfield said, when asked Nov. 25 during an interview with 92.9 ESPN radio host Gabe Kuhn about his future. “It’s the job I have. And I’m working tirelessly to beat Navy. Any time my job gets mentioned, it’s a credit to players like you that poured into this program, this great community, our current roster, the staff. It’s a credit to all those people. But our focus 1,000% is this Thursday night and the challenges ahead.”

The Tigers (8-3, 4-3 American Conference) play Navy (8-2, 6-1) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Nov. 27 (6:30 p.m., ESPN).

Silverfield has been rumored to be a candidate for the opening at Arkansas. North Texas coach Eric Morris was also linked to the Arkansas opening, but he was hired by Oklahoma State on Nov. 25. Multiple national media outlets have reported that Silverfield, USF coach Alex Golesh and Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack are names to watch at Arkansas.

Memphis beat Arkansas on Sept. 20 and started the season 6-0 before faltering down the stretch with losses to UAB, Tulane and ECU. Those losses knocked Memphis from a Group of Five favorite to reach the College Football Playoff and mean the Tigers will miss out on the American Conference title game for a sixth straight season.

After the Arkansas game, Silverfield’s name appeared on various hot boards for open jobs.

“Look, I’m grateful,” Silverfield said Sept. 22. “And that’s a testament to the great supporting staff, the coaches, the assistants, our great community, the fans, the administration. That’s a testament to all the hard work they’ve put in. While that’s great, our focus is on the next opponent. That’s all that matters.”

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Ryan Silverfield said about his future ahead of Memphis vs Navy

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