Brief Introduction of Ryan Silverfield
Ryan Daniel Silverfield is a highly regarded American football coach, currently serving as the head coach for the University of Memphis football team. He assumed this role in December 2019, stepping up from his position as deputy head coach and offensive line coach. His tenure began with the significant challenge of leading the Tigers in the prestigious Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Silverfield’s coaching career is extensive and varied, with over two decades of experience spanning high school, college, and the National Football League (NFL). Known for his strong recruiting skills and his ability to develop formidable offensive lines, Silverfield has been a key figure in the recent success of the Memphis Tigers football program. His leadership has been marked by consistent bowl game appearances and notable victories, solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in collegiate football. Silverfield is recognized for his dedication to his players and his commitment to building a winning culture at Memphis.
Ryan Silverfield Overview
| Full Name | Ryan Daniel Silverfield |
| Date of Birth | August 4, 1980 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 45 |
| Birthplace | Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Profession | American Football Coach |
| Husband/Wife | Katie VanLandingham |
| Family | Information not publicly available |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Not publicly available |
| Net Worth | Estimated in the millions |
Early Life and Education of Ryan Silverfield
Ryan Silverfield was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended The Bolles School, a prestigious private college preparatory school in Jacksonville, where he was a member of two state championship football teams in 1995 and 1998. During his playing career, his team achieved a No. 1 ranking in the USA Today Super 25 national high school football poll. After a successful high school playing career, a neck injury prevented him from playing college football. However, his passion for the game led him to transition into coaching at a very young age. He began his coaching journey in 1999 as an assistant at his alma mater, The Bolles School. Silverfield then pursued higher education at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. He continued to coach while in college, demonstrating his early commitment to the profession. He graduated cum laude with a degree in Economics in 2003.
Ryan Silverfield’s Career
Ryan Silverfield’s coaching career is a testament to his dedication and versatility, with experience at every level of football. His journey began in 1999 at his high school alma mater, The Bolles School. While a student at Hampden-Sydney College, he served as an offensive assistant and later as a defensive line coach and tight ends coach for the college team. At just 23 years old, Silverfield took on his first head coaching role at Memorial Day High School in Savannah, Georgia, in 2004. He then moved to the college ranks, serving as the quarterbacks coach at Jacksonville University in 2005.
Silverfield’s career progressed with a graduate assistant position at the University of Central Florida (UCF) from 2006 to 2007. He then made the leap to the NFL, spending six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings from 2008 to 2013 in various roles, including offensive quality control and assistant offensive line coach. During his time with the Vikings, the team won two NFC North Division titles and made a trip to the 2009 NFC Championship game.
Following his NFL stint, Silverfield returned to the college game. He was an offensive consultant at the University of Toledo in 2014 and an offensive analyst at Arizona State University in 2015. He had a brief return to the NFL as an assistant offensive line coach for the Detroit Lions in 2015.
In 2016, Silverfield joined the University of Memphis as the offensive line coach under then-head coach Mike Norvell. His impact was immediate, and he was promoted to run game coordinator in 2018 and then to deputy head coach in 2019. Following Norvell’s departure to Florida State, Ryan Silverfield was named the 25th head coach of the Memphis Tigers in December 2019. His head coaching debut was on the grand stage of the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic against Penn State.
As head coach, Silverfield has led the Tigers to continued success. In his first full season in 2020, he guided the team to a victory in the Montgomery Bowl, becoming the first head coach in school history to win a bowl game in his first year. He has maintained a winning record and has led the Tigers to consecutive bowl game appearances. Under his leadership, Memphis achieved a 10-win season in 2023, culminating in a victory in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. He signed a new five-year contract in 2024, extending his commitment to the program through the 2028 season.
Ryan Silverfield Personal Life & Family
Ryan Silverfield is married to Katie VanLandingham, a lobbyist and Memphis native. The couple has twin girls. Previously, he was married to Mariana Silverfield. Public records indicate a divorce from his first wife, Angela, in 2017. Despite the demands of his high-profile coaching career, Silverfield is known to be a private individual when it comes to his family life. He has two dogs, Sadee and Cooper.
Awards and Achievements of Ryan Silverfield
- Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Coach of the Year (2020, 2023)
- Named to the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year watch list (2025)
- Finalist for the Broyles Award (honoring the nation’s top assistant coach) in 2018
- His 2018 offensive line was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line in the country
- Ranked as the fourth-best recruiter in the American Athletic Conference by 247sports.com in 2017
Ryan Silverfield Net Worth and Income
Ryan Silverfield’s net worth is estimated to be in the millions, primarily sourced from his successful coaching career. In April 2024, he signed a new five-year contract with the University of Memphis, set to run through the 2028 season. This contract includes a significant increase in his compensation. His total pay for the 2024 season is $2.2 million, and it is scheduled to increase annually, reaching $2.7 million in 2028. His previous contract in 2023 earned him $1.9 million. These figures represent a substantial income and contribute significantly to his overall net worth. The contract also includes performance-based incentives and bonuses.
Legacy and Influence
Ryan Silverfield has established a significant legacy at the University of Memphis, marked by consistent on-field success and a strong team culture. He is the only head coach in the program’s history to win four bowl games in his first four seasons. His 31 victories in his initial four seasons are the second-most for a head coach in school history. Silverfield is known for his player-centric approach and his ability to build strong relationships, which has been a cornerstone of his leadership style. His influence extends to his recruiting prowess, consistently bringing in top talent to the Memphis program. He has guided the Tigers to national rankings and has maintained their status as a competitive force in the American Athletic Conference. His commitment to the university and the city of Memphis has been evident throughout his tenure, and his leadership continues to shape the future of the football program.
Interesting Facts about Ryan Silverfield
- He began his coaching career at the young age of 19, while still a student at Hampden-Sydney College.
- At the age of 23, he was the head coach at Memorial Day High School.
- He is the only coach to have worked with both a NCAA single-season rushing leader (Kevin Smith at UCF) and an NFL single-season rushing leader (Adrian Peterson with the Minnesota Vikings).
- He graduated cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College with a degree in Economics.
- Silverfield was a member of two state championship football teams as a player at The Bolles School.
Controversies
In September 2025, Ryan Silverfield garnered media attention for comments made on his weekly radio show. While discussing his team’s standards, he made an unprompted reference to the University of Georgia’s football program, alluding to off-field issues involving player arrests for speeding. He stated that a “Georgia wide receiver arrested for driving 900 miles per hour over the speed limit” is a “weekly occurrence” that he would show to his team as an example of what not to do. The comments were characterized by some media outlets as a “shot” at the Georgia program and were met with surprise, given that Memphis does not regularly compete against Georgia. The remarks sparked discussion within the college football community.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not publicly available
- Twitter – @RSilverfield
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Ryan Silverfield
Ryan Silverfield continues to be a driving force for the University of Memphis football program. His journey from a teenage coach to a successful head coach at a Division I program is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for the game. With a contract extension securing his leadership for the foreseeable future, the Tigers are poised to continue their upward trajectory under his guidance. His focus on player development, strong recruiting, and building a positive team culture has created a foundation for sustained success. As the landscape of college football continues to evolve, Ryan Silverfield’s leadership and experience will be crucial in navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the Memphis Tigers.
