So, the dust has finally settled at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. After weeks of speculation, flight trackers, and enough message board "insider" tips to make your head spin, the University of Memphis officially handed the keys of the program to Charles Huff. Honestly, it was a move that had to happen.
The Ryan Silverfield era didn't end in a ball of flames—far from it. He left for Arkansas in late 2025 with a 50-25 record and a suitcase full of bowl trophies. But there was always this lingering feeling in the 901 that the ceiling had been reached. 8-5 seasons are fine, but Memphis has tasted the New Year’s Six. They want back in that conversation.
Enter Charles Huff.
The Man Bringing the Juice
If you haven't seen a Huff press conference yet, buckle up. The guy is a walking energy drink. He comes to Memphis after a bizarrely successful stint at Southern Miss, where he pulled off one of the biggest turnarounds in the country. In one year, he took a 1-11 team and made them bowl-eligible. That’s not just coaching; that’s a complete cultural exorcism.
Before that, he was at Marshall. He won a Sun Belt title there in 2024. He’s worked under Nick Saban at Alabama. He’s worked under James Franklin at Penn State. Basically, he has the "Blue Blood" pedigree but the "Group of Five" grit.
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Why this Memphis tiger football coach is different
Most coaches talk about "recruiting" like it’s a chore. For Huff, it’s a superpower. He was the guy who convinced Saquon Barkley to flip to Penn State back in the day. Think about that for a second. Memphis has always had the talent in its backyard, but they’ve struggled to keep the biggest local stars from jumping to the SEC.
Huff’s whole vibe is different. He isn't just looking for three-star fillers; he’s hunting for the kind of "dudes" that win championships. His staff for the 2026 season is already a statement of intent. Bringing in Kevin Decker from Old Dominion as Offensive Coordinator is a savvy move. Decker’s offenses at ODU were top-tier in the red zone. If you watched Memphis struggle to punch it in during those frustrating losses to Tulane and Navy in 2025, you know why this matters.
The 2026 Outlook: What to expect
Look, 2025 was weird. The Tigers were 8-4 in the regular season, then got absolutely thumped by NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl while Reggie Howard was holding things together as the interim. It felt like a program in limbo.
Huff isn't stepping into a total rebuild, though. He’s got pieces. But he also has a massive target on his back. The American Athletic Conference isn't the cakewalk it used to be. Tulane is still a problem. USF is on the rise.
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What Huff has to fix immediately:
- The Defense: Memphis gave up way too many explosive plays in late-season losses. Huff’s background is offensive-leaning (specifically running backs), but his hires on the defensive side, like Eric Mathies on the D-line, suggest he wants a nastier front four.
- Home Dominance: The Liberty Stadium used to be a fortress. In 2025, they dropped key games at home. Huff has to get the city behind the team again.
- The "Big Game" Hump: Silverfield was great at beating the teams he was supposed to beat. He struggled against the top 25. Huff's history at Marshall shows he can win the one that counts.
The Saban Connection
You can’t talk about a Charles Huff team without talking about "The Process." He spent 2019 and 2020 at Alabama as the Associate Head Coach. You can see it in how he structures his practices. It’s clinical. Everything is timed. There’s a specific "why" behind every drill.
Memphis fans have been used to the high-flying, "we’ll outscore you" style of Mike Norvell. Huff feels like a blend. He wants the points, sure, but he wants the physical identity that Alabama is known for. He wants to run the ball. He wants to bully people at the line of scrimmage.
Is he the guy to take Memphis to the Playoff?
With the expanded 12-team (and potentially larger) playoff, the path for a school like Memphis is actually visible now. You win the AAC, you’re in the conversation. Period.
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Huff didn't take this job just to go 9-3 and play in the Liberty Bowl in December. He took it because Memphis has the NIL infrastructure and the recruiting base to be the king of the "Group of Five."
Honestly, the hire feels like a gamble on upside. Silverfield was the safe floor. Huff is the high ceiling. If he can recruit at the level he’s capable of, Memphis isn't just a "good" AAC team. They're a problem for the SEC teams on their schedule.
What you should do next:
Keep a close eye on the spring transfer portal window. Huff is known for being aggressive here. If he can land a high-impact defensive tackle and a veteran safety before the 2026 season kicks off, the Tigers' odds to win the American are going to skyrocket. You should also check out the season ticket deposits; the school is already reporting a massive uptick in sales since the December announcement. It’s a new era in the 901.