The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Memphis: a football coaching history

National Program II#48 of 138–
See Memphis’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Billy Murphy
Peaked at National Program I
Built by
Mike Norvell
Regional Program II → National Program II (+13.2)
The fall
Tommy West
Regional Program I → Regional Program III (−5.8)
Right now
Charles Huff
in year 1 — too new to place in Memphis's history

Stature & coaches, 1960–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)MurphyWilliamsonStobartSchererWestFuenteNorvellSilverfield1960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Charles Huffshort tenure
0–0
2025–2025
Reggie Howardshort tenure
0–1
2020–now
Ryan Silverfieldcaretaker
Ryan Silverfield held Memphis at National Program II for 6 seasons.
National Program II
50–24
2016–2019
Mike Norvellbuilder
Mike Norvell raised Memphis from Regional Program II to National Program II.
+13.2
38–16
2012–2015
Justin Fuentecaretaker
Justin Fuente moved Memphis from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 4 seasons.
+10.6
26–23
2010–2011
Larry Portershort tenure
3–21
2001–2009
Tommy Westcaretaker
Tommy West held Memphis at Regional Program I for 9 seasons.
Regional Program I
49–61
1995–2000
Rip Scherercaretaker
Rip Scherer slid Memphis from National Program III to Regional Program I in 6 seasons.
Regional Program I
22–44
1989–1994
Chuck Stobartcaretaker
Chuck Stobart moved Memphis from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 6 seasons.
Regional Program I
29–36
1986–1988
Charlie Baileycaretaker
Charlie Bailey slid Memphis from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
Regional Program II
12–20
1984–1985
Rey Dempseyshort tenure
7–12
1981–1983
Rex Dockerycaretaker
Rex Dockery slid Memphis from National Program III to Regional Program I in 3 seasons.
Regional Program I
8–24
1975–1980
Richard Williamsoncaretaker
Richard Williamson slid Memphis from National Program II to National Program I in 6 seasons.
National Program I
31–35
1972–1974
Fred Pancoastcaretaker
Fred Pancoast slid Memphis from National Program I to National Program II in 3 seasons.
National Program II
20–12
1960–1971
Billy Murphycaretaker
Billy Murphy held Memphis at National Program I for 12 seasons.
National Program I
81–35