Tracking Memphis’ football staff changes

Now that the season for the Memphis Tigers football program concluded with a decisive victory in the First Responder Bowl, the annual cycle inevitably leads to changes. After staff meetings upon their return from Dallas, there are now three openings on the Tigers football staff.

Special teams coordinator Charles Bankins, offensive line Coach Jim Bridge, and receivers coach David Glidden are being replaced. None of these are big surprises, as each of these areas have experienced inconsistent play over the past few seasons.

Charles Bankins came to the Tigers in April 2021 from Charlotte, when Drew Svoboda abruptly left the Tigers to move to Alabama. While Memphis saw very good punting and FG kicking this year, kickoff and punt coverage could certainly have used some improvement. Football Outsiders ranks special teams based upon field goal, kickoff, and punt efficiency – both coverage and returns – and Memphis finished no. 84 in 2021 and no. 71 in 2022.

On January 6, the university announced the hiring of Chris White as the new Special Teams Coordinator. White comes to the Tigers having spent the prior 2 seasons as the STC for the University at Buffalo. Last year, the Buffalo Bulls had the MAC Special Teams POY. White has spent almost 30 years coaching Spec Teams and Offense in college and the NFL.

Jim Bridge came to the Tigers from Duke as part of Silverfield’s first staff. Bridge was the highest paid position coach (non-coordinator) on Silverfield’s staff. The offensive line has struggled the past couple of seasons in run blocking and in pass protection. Memphis allowed the most sacks this year since the 1-11 season in 2010. The rushing yards per carry has trended downward for all three seasons, currently ranking No. 88 in the country at 3.7 YPC.

On January 8, it was unveiled that Jeff Myers had been hired as Offensive Line Coach. Myers comes to Memphis after 5 years in the same role with Iowa State. While with the program, Myers contributed to some of the best offenses in ISU history. He was on the ISU staff when the Cyclones played the Tigers in the 2017 Liberty Bowl. Myers was an all-MAC offensive lineman at Toledo in 2014.

David Glidden came to the Tigers as an analyst on the Mike Norvell staff in 2018, and was promoted to tight ends coach on Silverfield’s initial staff. He moved over to wide receivers coach two seasons ago. The wide receiver corps has struggled this year getting separation and with quite a few dropped passes.

On December 30, Memphis announced that Larry Smith will be taking over for Glidden during the 2023 season as Wide Receivers Coach. Smith was the wide receivers coach at UAB for seven seasons. Before joining the Blazers staff, Smith coached at Jacksonville State. The Tigers new receivers coach played quarterback for Vanderbilt from 2007-2011.