Everyone loves a New Year’s resolution. It’s a clean slate, a reset, a chance to point toward something better. For Arkansas football, and for new head coach Ryan Silverfield, the resolution doesn’t need to be complicated.
Win football games.
Razorback fans have been patient. Too patient, some would say. They’ve waited for competitive football to return to Fayetteville, waited for momentum to stick, waited for promise to turn into results. Now, a new year brings new hope, and that hope rests in Silverfield, a proven winner at Memphis, and whether his philosophy can translate from the Group of Five into the unforgiving spotlight of the SEC.
A CEO-Style Head Coach
Silverfield has wasted little time putting his stamp on the program. One of his most important early moves has been expanding the assistant coaching staff more than Arkansas has ever seen. That decision speaks volumes.
Rather than being locked into one side of the ball or one position group, Silverfield has positioned himself as the true CEO of the program: overseeing daily operations, culture, and accountability. More assistants mean more eyes, more teaching, and fewer excuses. Players get the attention they need. Coaches are held responsible for results. Development becomes unavoidable.
That’s a strong first step, and a smart one.
NIL Isn’t Optional Anymore
Next on the resolution list: resources.
Arkansas cannot compete in today’s college football landscape without real NIL investment. Silverfield understands that, and so does the administration. According to recent reports, more donors have bought into the vision, and there’s now a structured plan to help players understand how to grow and monetize their personal brands. In this day and age in college football, that matters.
When players see a program that not only pays competitively but also teaches them how to maximize their value, it becomes a recruiting advantage. High school prospects notice. Transfers notice. Momentum builds.
If Arkansas wants to rival the SEC’s heavyweights, and even the top programs nationally, this commitment has to continue. So far, credit is due.
The Transfer Portal Is the Next Test
Now comes the pressure point: the transfer portal.
It’s arriving faster than anyone would like, but that’s the reality of modern college football. Attacking the portal doesn’t mean spending recklessly or chasing stars for the sake of headlines. It means having a plan.
Find a type. Marry culture with scheme. Target players who fit the mindset you want to build.
Don’t be cheap, but don’t be careless either.
This is where Silverfield’s background at Memphis becomes especially important. He’s shown he can identify talent others overlook. He knows how to find “diamond in the rough” players, develop them, and surround them with higher-end pieces when needed to get a competitive team all around.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. It was built through small, intentional steps that eventually formed an empire. No one expects instant dominance, but Razorback fans do expect direction, urgency, and visible progress.
This offseason is Silverfield’s first real opportunity to define what Arkansas football is going to be under his leadership. The staff is in place. The NIL structure is improving. The portal is open. Now it’s time to act and go attack before it's too late to get the players you see as a fit.
The New Year’s resolution is simple. The expectations are clear. Let’s see what you’ve got, Coach Silverfield. This is your chance, go take advantage of the opporunity and be the next great Razorback coach.