​Charles Huff, who has proven he can steady the ship, inherits a Memphis program that has already shown it can win. His track record includes turning around Marshall, where he followed a long line of success under Doc Holliday and delivered 32 wins in four seasons plus a Sun Belt title. Huff then left for Southern Miss last year, taking a slew of Thundering Herd players with him. The move paid off, transforming a 1-11 outfit into a solid 7-6 squad that earned a bowl bid. Now, with Memphis in need of a stabilizing hire, Huff steps into his third head coaching job in as many years.
Memphis head coach Charles Huff leads a drill during practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 27, 2026. © Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
His situation at Memphis mirrors the high expectations he faced at Marshall: the program is a proven winner. The Tigers haven’t posted a losing season since 2013 and had won 21 games over two seasons before Ryan Silverfield’s squad went 8-5 last year. Silverfield departed for Arkansas, Huff stepped in, and there’s no grace period in sight. With the roster largely built from transfers, there is continuity thanks to 12 key players who followed Huff from Southern Miss. But can Memphis contend for the American Conference title with mostly a Sun Belt–built lineup?
This hire stands out as one of the stronger coaching selections of the cycle, designed to answer that question. Head Coach: Charles Huff (1st year; 6th year overall, 39-25). Best Case / Worst Case: Win the American championship / Struggle to become bowl eligible. Key Player: Air Noland, QB Soph., or Marcus Stokes, QB Jr. 2025 Record: 7-5. Biggest Question: Can Huff keep the Tigers winning with an influx of roughly 22 new starters via the portal?
Fourth-quarter scoring: Memphis 107, Opponents 35. Fumbles: Opponents 15 (lost 6), Memphis 9 (lost 2). Passing Yards: Memphis 2,643, Opponents 2,632. This season should be compelling.
Kevin Decker takes over offensive coordinator duties after arriving from Old Dominion, which ranked 14th nationally in total offense, aided by a potent ground game. Memphis may lean on the portal, but it will balance air and ground attack. The quarterback room features a high-profile prospect in Air Noland, though some note he’s not on par with Ohio State’s Julian Sayin or South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers from Huff’s previous stops. West Florida’s Marcus Stokes adds a dynamic dual-threat option, and Denzel Gardner arrives after following Huff from Southern Miss. The ground game will be fueled by a stable of runners, including Dallan Hayden, a strong prospect from Coach Prime’s Colorado, and Jaylin Carter, a quick back from Southern Miss who can contribute in the passing game. The receiving corps is loaded with deep threats, including Tychaun Chapman, who averaged 18 yards per catch for Southern Miss last season, and Terrell Timmons. The lineup promises a mix of transfer impact and homegrown talent as Huff attempts to sustain Memphis’ winning culture.