Ryan Silverfield’s first Arkansas coaching staff is beginning to form, and the early pieces show a plan built around experience, development and steady voices.
After arriving in Fayetteville with the promise his staff would blow us away, Silverfield is moving through the hiring process with a clear idea of how he wants the Razorbacks to operate.
One of the most notable early steps is the expectation that Clint Trickett will be hired as quarterbacks coach.
Trickett comes with a long list of stops on the offensive side of the ball, working at programs known for building quarterbacks and teaching system discipline.
For a rebuilding Arkansas offense, that kind of background stands out.
The Hogs know they need guidance in the quarterback room, and Trickett’s coaching career shows experience working with young players who need structure.
Silverfield wants a staff that fits his approach—teachers who communicate and develop. Trickett checks multiple boxes.
Silverfield’s staff moves have come gradually, but with his calm, deliberate pace, he appears to be building a group with a mix of new ideas and long-term coaching habits.
Arkansas is not rushing its hires, and Trickett’s expected arrival adds another voice with a track record of shaping offenses.
The Razorbacks are placing emphasis on assistants who can develop players quickly while still handling the long process of teaching a full system. Trickett’s rise in coaching shows how often he has been trusted with quarterbacks and passing games.
His experience across several schools gives Silverfield someone who has seen different systems and adjusted to different styles.
His playing background adds even more perspective. Trickett was a quarterback at Florida State and West Virginia, where he passed for more than 5,800 yards and 32 touchdowns in his career.
Coaches who once played the position often bring a direct understanding of how to guide young quarterbacks through decision-making and pressure.
Trickett also spent two seasons coaching quarterbacks at East Mississippi Community College, one of the top junior college programs in the country.
Working with players at different stages of development has shaped his approach and earned him opportunities across multiple stops.
He most recently spent the 2025 season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Jacksonville State. Before that, he worked as pass game coordinator and tight ends coach at Georgia Southern in 2024.
He has also coached at Marshall and Florida Atlantic. That series of jobs shows a coach who has earned trust in the offensive room.
How rest of staff is coming together
Silverfield’s staff is filling out on both sides of the ball.
On offense, the expected hires include Tim Cramsey as offensive coordinator, Larry Smith at wide receivers, David Johnson at running backs, Morgan Turner with tight ends and both Marcus Johnson and Jeff Meyers on the offensive line.
The Hogs will have a sizable group of voices shaping the offense.
On defense, Ron Roberts is expected to lead the unit as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Marion Hobby is lined up for the defensive line, while Deron Wilson and TJ Rushing are set to handle the cornerbacks. CJ Wilford is expected to coach safeties, and Chad Lunsford is set to run special teams.
This list reflects Silverfield’s desire for coaches who can teach. He has spoken about wanting a staff built on character and connection with players. He said people will be “blown away” not by the names on the roster, but by the traits each coach brings.
Arkansas fans have heard plenty about the importance of development, and Silverfield’s approach signals that he believes in consistency and communication.
He wants coaches who care about players beyond the field. He wants structure and a clear identity.
Trickett stepping into the quarterbacks role fits that model. A young coach with multiple offensive jobs on his résumé gives the Hogs a guide who understands how to adjust schemes and build confidence in a room that will determine much of the team’s direction.
What this means for Arkansas in 2026
The Razorbacks know they are starting fresh after a difficult season. A new coaching staff always brings a new voice, new expectations and a new feel for how players are developed.
Silverfield is trying to build stability early, and each staff hire adds more clarity to the team’s layout.
The Hogs are not promising overnight success, but the direction of the staff shows Silverfield is not taking shortcuts.
He wants teachers who can deliver results over time. That begins with the quarterback position, and Trickett’s expected hire marks a step toward that plan.
The 2026 season is still far away, but Arkansas now has a growing staff of coaches with varied experiences across college football.
The Razorbacks are building from the ground up, and Silverfield’s slow, steady assembling of assistants shows a coach determined to create an identity the program can grow into.
Key takeaways
- Clint Trickett is expected to become the Arkansas quarterbacks coach, bringing experience from multiple offensive roles.
- Ryan Silverfield’s first staff mixes new voices with seasoned teachers focused on player development.
- Silverfield has emphasized that the staff will impress people through its character and commitment, not just titles.
