Ryan Silverfield makes 2 key hires to new Arkansas staff, per reports
By David Wasson
Published:
New Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield continues to build out his first Razorbacks staff, and he made a pair of key hires on Thursday.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Arkansas is hiring TJ Rushing to coach defensive backs. A subsequent report from FootballScoop’s John Brice stated that Arkansas is also adding Arizona’s Gaizka Crowley as its new general manager.
Rushing most recently coached safeties at Auburn in 2025 and has coached defensive backs previously at Texas A&M from 2020-23, Memphis from 2018-19 under Silverfield, Arizona State from 2016-17, and Northern Arizona in 2015. The former Stanford player recorded 4 seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.
Crowley was lured to Arkansas from Arizona, where he has served as general manager for the past 2 seasons under coach Brent Brennan. The 17th-ranked Wildcats improved to 9-3 in 2025 after going 4-8 in 2024. Prior to Arizona, Crowley worked in the same role at Western Michigan and in personnel departments at Eastern Illinois and UNLV. He also worked at XOS Digital, a company that aids coaching staffs in roster analysis and scouting.
Silverfield was hired Nov. 30 to replace Sam Pittman, who was fired by Arkansas on Sept. 28 after a disastrous 56-13 home loss to Notre Dame. Pittman recorded a 32-34 overall record in Fayetteville in 5-plus seasons, including a 14-29 mark in SEC play.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
