You can join TigerSportsReport for $9.01 for the first year with promo code GoTigersGo901. Click here for the promo
With Mike Norvell leaving for Florida State, Memphis will find themselves in the hunt for a head coach.
Here’s a look at some of the names have been thrown around.
(NOTE: Career records include all college head coaching stops, regardless of level, and are updated through Dec. 7th. Salary information comes from USA Today’s database.)
Hugh Freeze - Liberty, Head Coach
Career Record: 76-36 (7-4 @ Liberty)
2019 Salary: N/A (Liberty is private and not subject to FOIA laws)
Interest Level: None- Staying at Liberty
I know some Memphis fans will automatically say no to Freeze but let's face it, he can coach. He beat Nick Saban's Alabama team twice. Once in 2014 and then beat #2 Alabama at Alabama in 2015. He had success at Ole Miss. He had an overall record of 39-25 there. Yes, I know he ultimately had to vacate 27 wins and Ole Miss was slapped with a 2-year bowl ban but there are some that says he's a different coach now. He's won everywhere he's coached. He coached high school in Memphis and knows the area.
Ryan Silverfield - Memphis, Deputy Head Coach / Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Line
Career Record: Never a head coach
2019 Salary: $295,000
Interest Level: High
It's about time Silverfield gets a shot at running a program. He's a tremendous recruiter and is a players coach. He has over 18 years of coaching experience at the high school, college and NFL levels. He was a Broyles Award candidate in 2018. Silverfield has been with Norvell since he was hired at Memphis. Promoting Silverfield wouldn't rock the boat and there wouldn't be any drop off in recruiting.
Chip Long - Notre Dame, Former Offensive Coordinator
Career Record: Never a head coach
2019 Salary: N/A (Liberty is private and not subject to FOIA laws)
Interest Level: High
Coach Long came to Memphis from Arizona State with Mike Norvell and spent 1 year with him as the Offensive Coordinator. He's a great recruiter and has had Notre Dame's offense ranked 27th in 2017, 32nd in 2018, and 47th this year. He already has familiarity not only with Memphis but with quarterback Brady White. Long helped recruit White to Arizona State. ***Update*** Long and Notre Dame part ways.
Jim McElwain - Central Michigan, Head Coach
Career Record: 52-32
2019 Salary: $640,900
Interest Level: High
Coach McElwain could have been the coach at Memphis in 2012 and a deal was close but he ultimately chose Colorado State and then Memphis hired Justin Fuente. McElwain has success at CSU before moving on to Florida and was successful the first 2 years in Gainesville before being fired in year three after a 3-4 start. He coached Central Michigan to a 8-5 record this year and lost in the MAC Championship.
Kenny Dillingham - FSU, Offensive Coordinator
Career Record: Never a head coach
2019 Salary: $280,000
Interest Level: None
Coach Dillingham is a rising star in the coaching world. he worked with Norvell at Arizona State and came to Memphis with Norvell. He quickly was promoted to Offensive Coordinator at Memphis and then left for Auburn for the same position. He's a young coach that is extremely bright and is known as a offensive mind. ***Update*** Dillingham is on his way to FSU with Coach Norvell
Barry Odom - Former Mizzou Head Coach
Career Record: 25-25
2019 Salary: $3,000,000
Interest Level: High
Coach Odom joined Justin Fuente in 2012 and immediately made a difference on defense. When Fuente left for Virginia Tech Odom had the chance to take over Memphis but chose Mizzou instead. The Tiger defense hasn't been the same (until this year with Coach Fuller) since. With Odom you have familiarity and he's a good recruiter. Odom will have offers but will he wait for Memphis?
Dan Lanning - Georgia, Defensive Coordinator
Career Record: Never a head coach
2019 Salary: $325,000
Interest Level: High
Coach Lanning was with Norvell at Arizona State. Lanning joined Memphis in 2016 after a year at Alabama. Lanning is known as a great defensive mind and a relentless recruiter. This was his first year as Defensive Coordinator and he has the Bulldogs ranked 4th in total defense this year. He's a Broyles Award finalist this year.
Billy Napier- ULL Head Coach
Career Record: 17-10
Interest Level: High
Coach Napier is a trendy name. While he's only been coaching for 2 years those 2 years were division championship and Sun Belt Conference runner up years. He's a well connected coach and a offensive mind.
__________________________________
***12-7 7:30pm update***
Per sources- Memphis is expected to move quickly with its coaching search. I've heard they want a new coach wrapped up within 7 days due to recruiting.
Multiple sources have said Hugh Freeze will be in Memphis to meet with Admin in the next 24-48 hours.
----------------------------------------
***12-7 8:30 update***
Per source- Barry Odom has offers to be a DC but he does want to be a HC but isn't sure he can wait on a HC offer with the DC offers on the table
***12-8 9:30pm update***
It certainly feels like a 4 horse race with Ryan Silverfield, Barry Odom, Hugh Freeze, and Chip Long. As of tonight, it seems like one of these 4 will get the job and it just might be Silverfield's job to lose. He's been named interim and coach the Cotton Bowl. Sources have indicated that the coaching search will not be a long one. We would be surprised if there's not an announcement by next week. A source close to Hugh Freeze has said Memphis has already reached out to him.
Barry Odom just might end up at Arkansas as their DC. He knows Pittman well and with Justin Fuente already naming his DC at VaTech, Odom may not wait around for Memphis to make a decision.
***12-9 9am update***
Per sources we have learned that Memphis is expecting to talk/interview candidates today. A source close to Barry Odom said he isn't one of those candidates that is expected today. Two of Jimmy Sexton's clients are rumored to be on the agenda for Memphis today. Coach Silverfield is represented by Sexton (as well as nearly all of the coaches in the NCAA, lol).
***12-9 10pm update***
There's a good chance strength coach Josh Storms leaves for FSU. He's been with Norvell since ASU. John Simon is another assistant that is rumored to leave for FSU. There's tremendous support from players and fans to promote Silverfield. Don't be surprised if he ends up at FSU if he doesn't get the Memphis job. Per Warchant.com "His name is coming up with recruits which makes it sound like it's pretty close to being done."
If Silverfield isn't retained, it would seem that most of the staff would be looking to go to FSU with Norvell depending on who gets hired at Memphis.
As we first reported on Sat, the search will not take long. The plans are to have a new coach by the end of the week.
***12-10 AM update***
More meetings/talks are expected today. As far as assistants go, I don't expect any of the assistants that are rumored to head to FSU with Norvell to do so before the Cotton Bowl. They are all focused in on beating Penn State. That could change depending on the head coaching hire but as of today I'm hearing they all are focused on getting the Memphis players ready and focused with the least amount of distraction possible.
Sources have said that Memphis and Barry Odom talked yesterday but it was over the phone and not in person. A source close to Odom has said it wasn't an interview.
We'll update further as we get more clarification on the info we received from last night.
***12-10 2pm update***
Freeze is out. He has signed the extension at Liberty. Source close to Freeze said Memphis did talk to him but Memphis chose to go in a different direction
***12-10 late night update***
I was told that Odom did in fact interview within the last 24 hours. Still seems it would be Memphis or go be the DC at Ark for him
***12-11 AM update***
Sources have said Silverfield is back in town after a recruiting trip. They did not deny when asked if he was interviewing today. TSR was told that Silverfield would be the last interview before a decision is made. That decision is expected very soon.
Keep an eye on Charlotte OL Coach Alex Atkins. He could be targeted by Silverfield to replace him as the OL Coach at Memphis if/when Silverfield gets promoted.
Also keep an eye on Jay Bateman. He's a former Broyles Award nominee. He's currently the Co-Defensive Coordinator at North Carolina. Should Silverfield get the Memphis job and Fuller goes to FSU or elsewhere, Bateman could be targeted to replace Fuller at Memphis
***12-11 PM update***
Per source- If Dan Lanning doesn't go to Florida St. then Norvell will hire Memphis DC Adam Fuller. A decision will be made within the next 24-48 hours. If Fuller does go to FSU look for Coach Clune to be the DC in the Cotton Bowl.
That didn't take long. Fuller to FSU
Source- It will be Memphis HC or FSU for Silverfield but he'll have plenty of options. Odom's interview went well. Working on more updates. Stay tuned.
Another DC that Silverfield could target is former Memphis LB Coach Scott Symons. Symons is now the DC at Liberty. He's been the DC at West Georgia and Arkansas Tech as well.
With Mike Norvell leaving for Florida State, Memphis will find themselves in the hunt for a head coach.
Here’s a look at some of the names have been thrown around.
(NOTE: Career records include all college head coaching stops, regardless of level, and are updated through Dec. 7th. Salary information comes from USA Today’s database.)
Hugh Freeze - Liberty, Head Coach
Career Record: 76-36 (7-4 @ Liberty)
2019 Salary: N/A (Liberty is private and not subject to FOIA laws)
Interest Level: None- Staying at Liberty
I know some Memphis fans will automatically say no to Freeze but let's face it, he can coach. He beat Nick Saban's Alabama team twice. Once in 2014 and then beat #2 Alabama at Alabama in 2015. He had success at Ole Miss. He had an overall record of 39-25 there. Yes, I know he ultimately had to vacate 27 wins and Ole Miss was slapped with a 2-year bowl ban but there are some that says he's a different coach now. He's won everywhere he's coached. He coached high school in Memphis and knows the area.
Ryan Silverfield - Memphis, Deputy Head Coach / Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Line
Career Record: Never a head coach
2019 Salary: $295,000
Interest Level: High
It's about time Silverfield gets a shot at running a program. He's a tremendous recruiter and is a players coach. He has over 18 years of coaching experience at the high school, college and NFL levels. He was a Broyles Award candidate in 2018. Silverfield has been with Norvell since he was hired at Memphis. Promoting Silverfield wouldn't rock the boat and there wouldn't be any drop off in recruiting.
Chip Long - Notre Dame, Former Offensive Coordinator
Career Record: Never a head coach
2019 Salary: N/A (Liberty is private and not subject to FOIA laws)
Interest Level: High
Coach Long came to Memphis from Arizona State with Mike Norvell and spent 1 year with him as the Offensive Coordinator. He's a great recruiter and has had Notre Dame's offense ranked 27th in 2017, 32nd in 2018, and 47th this year. He already has familiarity not only with Memphis but with quarterback Brady White. Long helped recruit White to Arizona State. ***Update*** Long and Notre Dame part ways.
Jim McElwain - Central Michigan, Head Coach
Career Record: 52-32
2019 Salary: $640,900
Interest Level: High
Coach McElwain could have been the coach at Memphis in 2012 and a deal was close but he ultimately chose Colorado State and then Memphis hired Justin Fuente. McElwain has success at CSU before moving on to Florida and was successful the first 2 years in Gainesville before being fired in year three after a 3-4 start. He coached Central Michigan to a 8-5 record this year and lost in the MAC Championship.
Kenny Dillingham - FSU, Offensive Coordinator
Career Record: Never a head coach
2019 Salary: $280,000
Interest Level: None
Coach Dillingham is a rising star in the coaching world. he worked with Norvell at Arizona State and came to Memphis with Norvell. He quickly was promoted to Offensive Coordinator at Memphis and then left for Auburn for the same position. He's a young coach that is extremely bright and is known as a offensive mind. ***Update*** Dillingham is on his way to FSU with Coach Norvell
Barry Odom - Former Mizzou Head Coach
Career Record: 25-25
2019 Salary: $3,000,000
Interest Level: High
Coach Odom joined Justin Fuente in 2012 and immediately made a difference on defense. When Fuente left for Virginia Tech Odom had the chance to take over Memphis but chose Mizzou instead. The Tiger defense hasn't been the same (until this year with Coach Fuller) since. With Odom you have familiarity and he's a good recruiter. Odom will have offers but will he wait for Memphis?
Dan Lanning - Georgia, Defensive Coordinator
Career Record: Never a head coach
2019 Salary: $325,000
Interest Level: High
Coach Lanning was with Norvell at Arizona State. Lanning joined Memphis in 2016 after a year at Alabama. Lanning is known as a great defensive mind and a relentless recruiter. This was his first year as Defensive Coordinator and he has the Bulldogs ranked 4th in total defense this year. He's a Broyles Award finalist this year.
Billy Napier- ULL Head Coach
Career Record: 17-10
Interest Level: High
Coach Napier is a trendy name. While he's only been coaching for 2 years those 2 years were division championship and Sun Belt Conference runner up years. He's a well connected coach and a offensive mind.
__________________________________
***12-7 7:30pm update***
Per sources- Memphis is expected to move quickly with its coaching search. I've heard they want a new coach wrapped up within 7 days due to recruiting.
Multiple sources have said Hugh Freeze will be in Memphis to meet with Admin in the next 24-48 hours.
----------------------------------------
***12-7 8:30 update***
Per source- Barry Odom has offers to be a DC but he does want to be a HC but isn't sure he can wait on a HC offer with the DC offers on the table
***12-8 9:30pm update***
It certainly feels like a 4 horse race with Ryan Silverfield, Barry Odom, Hugh Freeze, and Chip Long. As of tonight, it seems like one of these 4 will get the job and it just might be Silverfield's job to lose. He's been named interim and coach the Cotton Bowl. Sources have indicated that the coaching search will not be a long one. We would be surprised if there's not an announcement by next week. A source close to Hugh Freeze has said Memphis has already reached out to him.
Barry Odom just might end up at Arkansas as their DC. He knows Pittman well and with Justin Fuente already naming his DC at VaTech, Odom may not wait around for Memphis to make a decision.
***12-9 9am update***
Per sources we have learned that Memphis is expecting to talk/interview candidates today. A source close to Barry Odom said he isn't one of those candidates that is expected today. Two of Jimmy Sexton's clients are rumored to be on the agenda for Memphis today. Coach Silverfield is represented by Sexton (as well as nearly all of the coaches in the NCAA, lol).
***12-9 10pm update***
There's a good chance strength coach Josh Storms leaves for FSU. He's been with Norvell since ASU. John Simon is another assistant that is rumored to leave for FSU. There's tremendous support from players and fans to promote Silverfield. Don't be surprised if he ends up at FSU if he doesn't get the Memphis job. Per Warchant.com "His name is coming up with recruits which makes it sound like it's pretty close to being done."
If Silverfield isn't retained, it would seem that most of the staff would be looking to go to FSU with Norvell depending on who gets hired at Memphis.
As we first reported on Sat, the search will not take long. The plans are to have a new coach by the end of the week.
***12-10 AM update***
More meetings/talks are expected today. As far as assistants go, I don't expect any of the assistants that are rumored to head to FSU with Norvell to do so before the Cotton Bowl. They are all focused in on beating Penn State. That could change depending on the head coaching hire but as of today I'm hearing they all are focused on getting the Memphis players ready and focused with the least amount of distraction possible.
Sources have said that Memphis and Barry Odom talked yesterday but it was over the phone and not in person. A source close to Odom has said it wasn't an interview.
We'll update further as we get more clarification on the info we received from last night.
***12-10 2pm update***
Freeze is out. He has signed the extension at Liberty. Source close to Freeze said Memphis did talk to him but Memphis chose to go in a different direction
***12-10 late night update***
I was told that Odom did in fact interview within the last 24 hours. Still seems it would be Memphis or go be the DC at Ark for him
***12-11 AM update***
Sources have said Silverfield is back in town after a recruiting trip. They did not deny when asked if he was interviewing today. TSR was told that Silverfield would be the last interview before a decision is made. That decision is expected very soon.
Keep an eye on Charlotte OL Coach Alex Atkins. He could be targeted by Silverfield to replace him as the OL Coach at Memphis if/when Silverfield gets promoted.
Also keep an eye on Jay Bateman. He's a former Broyles Award nominee. He's currently the Co-Defensive Coordinator at North Carolina. Should Silverfield get the Memphis job and Fuller goes to FSU or elsewhere, Bateman could be targeted to replace Fuller at Memphis
***12-11 PM update***
Per source- If Dan Lanning doesn't go to Florida St. then Norvell will hire Memphis DC Adam Fuller. A decision will be made within the next 24-48 hours. If Fuller does go to FSU look for Coach Clune to be the DC in the Cotton Bowl.
That didn't take long. Fuller to FSU
Source- It will be Memphis HC or FSU for Silverfield but he'll have plenty of options. Odom's interview went well. Working on more updates. Stay tuned.
Another DC that Silverfield could target is former Memphis LB Coach Scott Symons. Symons is now the DC at Liberty. He's been the DC at West Georgia and Arkansas Tech as well.
