BREAKING NEWS: Message: Former Memphis Tigers head coach Larry Porter now with West Virginia, sent a shocking message to Memphis Tigers head coach Ryan Silverfield concerning his…see more
While details of the full message remain under wraps, multiple sources close to both programs confirm that Porter reached out to Silverfield late Sunday night following Memphis’s most recent game.
Background: A Memphis Legacy Meets Its Future
Larry Porter, who played running back for Memphis in the early 1990s and later served as the program’s head coach from 2010 to 2011, has deep emotional ties to the Tigers. His coaching journey has since taken him across several powerhouse programs — including LSU, Texas, Auburn, and North Carolina — before his recent move to West Virginia, where he now serves as running backs coach under head coach Rich Rodriguez.
Ryan Silverfield, who took over the Memphis program in 2019, has led the Tigers to multiple bowl appearances and a recent 10-win season, marking one of the strongest eras in school history.
The Message That Shocked Memphis
According to early reports from team insiders, Porter’s message was not a typical congratulatory note or friendly exchange. Instead, it allegedly contained a direct challenge to Silverfield — questioning aspects of Memphis’s player development and warning that the Tigers might soon “lose their edge” in regional recruiting battles if they “don’t keep the standard.”
One unnamed source described the message as “part respect, part warning — like a coach reminding another that he knows exactly what it takes to run that program.”
Neither school has officially confirmed the contents of the message, but West Virginia athletic officials have acknowledged that Porter “has been in communication with former colleagues” since joining the Mountaineers.
Silverfield’s Response
Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield was reportedly “surprised but not offended” by the message. A team staff member told local media that Silverfield viewed it as “competitive fire” from someone who still loves Memphis football.
Silverfield has not made any public statement about the exchange but posted a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter) late Sunday night:
“Proud of where we are, but never satisfied. The grind continues. #GoTigersGo”
What This Could Mean
The incident has stirred plenty of speculation:
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Some believe Porter’s words were a motivational spark, urging Memphis to continue raising its standards.
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Others interpret it as competitive positioning, signaling that West Virginia intends to recruit heavily in Memphis’s traditional territory.
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A few see it as personal pride, with Porter reminding the Tigers that his roots still run deep in the Bluff City.
Looking Ahead
Whether this message becomes a minor offseason storyline or the beginning of a budding rivalry remains to be seen. What’s certain is that both programs are on the rise — and the connection between their coaches adds a layer of intrigue to the 2025 college football narrative.
For now, fans are waiting to see if Silverfield responds publicly or if Porter clarifies the intent behind his “shocking message.”
