### Memphis Football Program Welcomes Charles Huff as New Head Coach - The University of Memphis has officially hired Charles Huff as its new head football coach following his successful one-season tenure at Southern Miss. Huff replaces Ryan Silverfield, who departed for Arkansas on November 30, 2025. Under Huff's leadership, Southern Miss achieved a remarkable turnaround, improving from a dismal 1-11 record in 2024 to a 7-5 finish in 2025, marking the program's best regular-season performance since 2019. This significant improvement is one of the largest in the Football Bowl Subdivision this season. Memphis, which finished the season with an 8-4 record, is set to compete in the Gasparilla Bowl against North Carolina State on December 19, 2025, with interim coach Reggie Howard at the helm until Huff officially takes over [https://apnews.com/article/memphis-hire-coach-charles-huff-9d2743a439637efef1c23aaa39defb22]. ### Overview of the Coaching Transition 1. **Hiring Announcement**: Memphis has confirmed the hiring of Charles Huff as the new head coach, following the departure of Ryan Silverfield. 2. **Huff's Background**: Huff previously coached Southern Miss, leading them to a 7-5 record after a challenging 2024 season. 3. **Contract Details**: Reports indicate that Huff will receive a five-year contract with Memphis. 4. **Previous Coaching Experience**: Before Southern Miss, Huff had a successful stint at Marshall, where he achieved a 32-20 record and three bowl appearances in four seasons. 5. **Immediate Challenges**: Memphis is preparing for its upcoming bowl game while transitioning to a new coaching staff. ### Key Metrics and Achievements - **Southern Miss Performance**: - 2024 Record: 1-11 - 2025 Record: 7-5 - Improvement: 6-win turnaround, one of the largest in the FBS [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/report_memphis_closes_in_on_southern_miss_charles_huff/s1_17047_43168387]. - **Memphis Performance**: - 2025 Record: 8-4 - Bowl Game: Scheduled to play North Carolina State in the Gasparilla Bowl on December 19, 2025 [https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-football/memphis-hire-coach-charles-huff-w13917]. ### Conclusion and Future Outlook - **Strategic Move**: The hiring of Charles Huff is seen as a strategic move for Memphis, aiming to build on the momentum of a successful season and capitalize on Huff's proven track record of turning around struggling programs. - **Next Steps**: As Huff prepares to take the reins, Memphis will look to solidify its position in the competitive landscape of college football, leveraging Huff's experience and success to enhance the program's future prospects. 1. **Huff's Hiring**: Memphis hires Charles Huff to replace Ryan Silverfield. 2. **Turnaround Success**: Huff's impressive turnaround at Southern Miss is a key factor in his hiring. 3. **Contract and Future**: Huff is set to receive a five-year contract, with expectations for continued success. 4. **Immediate Focus**: The team is preparing for the Gasparilla Bowl while transitioning to new leadership [https://www.espn.co.uk/college-football/story/_/id/47221859/sources-memphis-finalizing-deal-southern-miss-huff].