University of Memphis Athletics
Huff Named New Tigers Head Football Coach
Dec 08, 2025 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Charles Huff has been named the 26th head coach in Memphis football history, Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Ed Scott announced Monday, Dec. 8. Huff, a well-known figure in both collegiate and professional football, spent the 2019-20 season as College Football Hall of Fame coach Nick Saban's associate head coach and worked with future NFL superstars Najee Harris and Saquon Barkley.
Huff brings over 20 years of coaching experience with stops at Marshall (2021-24), Alabama (2019-20), Mississippi State (2018), Penn State (2014-17), Western Michigan (2013), the Buffalo Bills (2012), Vanderbilt (2011), Hampton (2010), Maryland (2009) and Tennessee State (2006-08).
"We are extremely excited to welcome Charles Huff as the next head football coach at the University of Memphis," Scott said. "Early in our search process, Coach Huff quickly rose to the top of our list as a dynamic leader with a proven track record of building strong, competitive programs. He brings a championship mindset, tremendous drive, and more than 20 years of experience working alongside some of the top coaches in college football. We are eager to get him to Memphis and begin this next chapter for our football program.
"We look forward to welcoming his wife, Jessica, and their three sons, B.J., Beau and Blaze to Memphis."
Huff comes to Memphis after serving as the head coach at Southern Mississippi where he turned the Golden Eagles from a 1-11 team in 2024 to a bowl eligible 7-5 team in just one season. It was the program's best regular-season record since 2019 and his six-win turnaround with the Golden Eagles was one of the biggest improvements in the FBS this season. Following his impressive turnaround during the 2025 season, Huff's career record sits at 39-25.
"I am excited to welcome Charles Huff to the University of Memphis as our next head football coach," Dr. Bill Hardgrave, University of Memphis President said. "As a proven winner who knows how to build a championship team, Charles brings a strong blend of on-field success, recruiting excellence and player development."
Changing the narrative of Southern Miss football, Huff guided the Golden Eagles to a complete revamp; after the team ranked near the bottom in nearly every statistical category in 2024, Huff's team flipped the script and became one of the most dangerous teams to play in FBS.
The team's 21 interceptions ranked first in the country while the 26 total turnovers created put Southern Miss top four in all of Division I. Boasting a 1.00 turnover margin, the Golden Eagles held opponents to under 28 points per game, a more than 10-point difference from the year prior.
"Coach Huff brings energy, discipline and a vision that aligns perfectly with who we are and where we want to go as a University," Cato Johnson, Board of Trustees Chairman said. "He is a tremendous competitor who knows what it takes to win at the highest levels of college football. We look forward to supporting him as the next leader of Tiger Football."
Offensively, the Golden Eagles were firing on all cylinders, boosting their completion rate to 65.3% - an 88-spot jump from 2024 - and leading the Sun Belt with nearly 267 passing yards per game.
Nine Golden Eagles earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors with J'Mond Tapp (defensive lineman), Chris Jones (linebacker) and Josh Moten (defensive back) all earning First Team nods.
Tapp led the Southern Miss defensive line with 67 tackles (18 solo) with team bests of 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. His sack total ranked second in the Sun Belt and No. 28 nationally, while his tackles per game total ranked No.1 among defensive linemen in the league.
The Sun Belt's leading tackler, Jones ranked seventh nationally in total tackles, averaging 10.7 per contest (128 total). Jones was the first Golden Eagle to record 100-plus tackles in a season since D'Nerius Antoine in 2015 and produced the most since Gerald McRath registered 137 in 2008.
Moten proved to be one of the most dangerous cornerbacks in the league, ranking fourth nationally with five interceptions while sitting in the top eight in the country in passes defenses.
Huff made his way to Southern Miss after serving as head coach at Marshall University from 2021-24, posting a 32-20 record that culminated with a 31-3 victory over Louisiana in the 2024 Sun Belt Conference championship game.
Huff holds the distinction of being the only Marshall coach in the FBS era to lead the Herd to a bowl game in each of their first four seasons at the helm. During his tenure, Huff led Marshall to victories over No. 8 Notre Dame (2022) and Virginia Tech (2023). The 26-21 win over Notre Dame was part of a 9-4 season and was the Herd's first win over a Top 10 team since 2003.
In Huff's inaugural season in Huntington, Marshall finished 7-6 appearing in its 17th bowl game since moving to FBS in 1997. Huff also navigated the Herd to a five-game winning streak at the end of 2022, which was one of the nation's longest heading into the 2023 season. The 2022 campaign culminated with a 28-14 win over UConn in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
The Herd finished 6-6 during the regular season in 2023 before dropping a 35-17 decision to UTSA in the Frisco Bowl. In 2024, Marshall registered its first league championship since capturing the 2014 Conference USA crown, while also recording the school's first 10-win season since 2015.
Described as an elite recruiter and developer of talent, Huff's proven history bolstered head coach Nick Saban's staff for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In his inaugural season in Tuscaloosa, Huff helped Najee Harris rush for a career-best 1,224 yards on 209 carries with 13 rushing touchdowns while catching 27 passes for 304 yards and seven more scores. In 2020, Harris was a consensus All-American who led the nation in total touchdowns (30), rushing touchdowns (26) and points (180). He also ranked third nationally in rushing yards (1,466) and holds the school record for total touchdowns (57), rushing touchdowns (46) and rushing yards (3,843). In his final season at Alabama, Huff helped lead the Crimson Tide to the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship over Ohio State University.
Huff arrived in Tuscaloosa after one season (2018) as the assistant head coach, run-game coordinator and running backs coach at Mississippi State. His one season in Starkville produced an effective rushing attack that averaged 223.6 yards per game to rank second in the SEC and 20th nationally.
Huff spent four seasons (2014-17) as Penn State's running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He recruited and developed one of the game's most electrifying players in Barkley, who was drafted by the New York Giants as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Numerous records fell at the running back position and on special teams under Huff's tutelage at Penn State.
In 2017, Barkley was a consensus All-American, becoming the first Big Ten running back in history to win Offensive Player of the Year honors twice. A Walter Camp National Player of the Year finalist, Barkley ranked second nationally in all-purpose yards in 2017 (2,329). He broke four school career records, including rushing touchdowns (43), total touchdowns (53), all-purpose yards (5,538) and consecutive games with a touchdown (15) in just three seasons.
Huff spent the 2013 season at Western Michigan as the running backs coach and helped the unit nearly double its rushing yards from 2012. The Broncos ran for 1,394 yards in 2013 after running for just 735 yards the year before.
During the 2012 season, Huff worked in the NFL as the assistant running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. He helped guide C.J. Spiller to his first career 1,000-yard rushing campaign and a Pro Bowl invitation.
In 2011, Huff was on James Franklin's 2011 staff at Vanderbilt as the offensive quality control coach. Huff and Franklin also worked together at Maryland in 2009, when Huff was the assistant offensive line coach. Huff also mentored NFL first-round pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as the tight ends and special teams coach at Tennessee State from 2007-08.
Huff graduated in 2005 from Hampton University where he served as a team captain, starting 12 games at center as a senior in 2005. He also played guard, fullback and tight end in his career.
"My family and I are so fired up about this opportunity," Huff said. "The city of Memphis, the leadership at the University and the level of consistency the football program has had over the recent years is incredible. I would like to thank University President Dr. Bill Hardgrave, Athletics Director Dr. Ed Scott, and their entire team who has instilled their faith in me to lead this outstanding program. To the city of Memphis and Tiger Nation, it's time to STAND UP! To the players and administration, it's go time!"
A native of Denton, Maryland, Huff and his wife, Jessica, have three boys: B.J., Beau and Blaze.
Huff's Coaching History
Huff will officially be recognized in a formal press conference on Wednesday. More details to come at a later time.
Season ticket deposits for the 2026 season can be made by clicking HERE. Please note that the prices shown do not include taxes and fees. Additional information about season ticket renewals will be announced at a later date.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Huff brings over 20 years of coaching experience with stops at Marshall (2021-24), Alabama (2019-20), Mississippi State (2018), Penn State (2014-17), Western Michigan (2013), the Buffalo Bills (2012), Vanderbilt (2011), Hampton (2010), Maryland (2009) and Tennessee State (2006-08).
"We are extremely excited to welcome Charles Huff as the next head football coach at the University of Memphis," Scott said. "Early in our search process, Coach Huff quickly rose to the top of our list as a dynamic leader with a proven track record of building strong, competitive programs. He brings a championship mindset, tremendous drive, and more than 20 years of experience working alongside some of the top coaches in college football. We are eager to get him to Memphis and begin this next chapter for our football program.
"We look forward to welcoming his wife, Jessica, and their three sons, B.J., Beau and Blaze to Memphis."
Huff comes to Memphis after serving as the head coach at Southern Mississippi where he turned the Golden Eagles from a 1-11 team in 2024 to a bowl eligible 7-5 team in just one season. It was the program's best regular-season record since 2019 and his six-win turnaround with the Golden Eagles was one of the biggest improvements in the FBS this season. Following his impressive turnaround during the 2025 season, Huff's career record sits at 39-25.
"I am excited to welcome Charles Huff to the University of Memphis as our next head football coach," Dr. Bill Hardgrave, University of Memphis President said. "As a proven winner who knows how to build a championship team, Charles brings a strong blend of on-field success, recruiting excellence and player development."
Changing the narrative of Southern Miss football, Huff guided the Golden Eagles to a complete revamp; after the team ranked near the bottom in nearly every statistical category in 2024, Huff's team flipped the script and became one of the most dangerous teams to play in FBS.
The team's 21 interceptions ranked first in the country while the 26 total turnovers created put Southern Miss top four in all of Division I. Boasting a 1.00 turnover margin, the Golden Eagles held opponents to under 28 points per game, a more than 10-point difference from the year prior.
"Coach Huff brings energy, discipline and a vision that aligns perfectly with who we are and where we want to go as a University," Cato Johnson, Board of Trustees Chairman said. "He is a tremendous competitor who knows what it takes to win at the highest levels of college football. We look forward to supporting him as the next leader of Tiger Football."
Offensively, the Golden Eagles were firing on all cylinders, boosting their completion rate to 65.3% - an 88-spot jump from 2024 - and leading the Sun Belt with nearly 267 passing yards per game.
Nine Golden Eagles earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors with J'Mond Tapp (defensive lineman), Chris Jones (linebacker) and Josh Moten (defensive back) all earning First Team nods.
Tapp led the Southern Miss defensive line with 67 tackles (18 solo) with team bests of 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. His sack total ranked second in the Sun Belt and No. 28 nationally, while his tackles per game total ranked No.1 among defensive linemen in the league.
The Sun Belt's leading tackler, Jones ranked seventh nationally in total tackles, averaging 10.7 per contest (128 total). Jones was the first Golden Eagle to record 100-plus tackles in a season since D'Nerius Antoine in 2015 and produced the most since Gerald McRath registered 137 in 2008.
Moten proved to be one of the most dangerous cornerbacks in the league, ranking fourth nationally with five interceptions while sitting in the top eight in the country in passes defenses.
Huff made his way to Southern Miss after serving as head coach at Marshall University from 2021-24, posting a 32-20 record that culminated with a 31-3 victory over Louisiana in the 2024 Sun Belt Conference championship game.
Huff holds the distinction of being the only Marshall coach in the FBS era to lead the Herd to a bowl game in each of their first four seasons at the helm. During his tenure, Huff led Marshall to victories over No. 8 Notre Dame (2022) and Virginia Tech (2023). The 26-21 win over Notre Dame was part of a 9-4 season and was the Herd's first win over a Top 10 team since 2003.
In Huff's inaugural season in Huntington, Marshall finished 7-6 appearing in its 17th bowl game since moving to FBS in 1997. Huff also navigated the Herd to a five-game winning streak at the end of 2022, which was one of the nation's longest heading into the 2023 season. The 2022 campaign culminated with a 28-14 win over UConn in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
The Herd finished 6-6 during the regular season in 2023 before dropping a 35-17 decision to UTSA in the Frisco Bowl. In 2024, Marshall registered its first league championship since capturing the 2014 Conference USA crown, while also recording the school's first 10-win season since 2015.
Described as an elite recruiter and developer of talent, Huff's proven history bolstered head coach Nick Saban's staff for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In his inaugural season in Tuscaloosa, Huff helped Najee Harris rush for a career-best 1,224 yards on 209 carries with 13 rushing touchdowns while catching 27 passes for 304 yards and seven more scores. In 2020, Harris was a consensus All-American who led the nation in total touchdowns (30), rushing touchdowns (26) and points (180). He also ranked third nationally in rushing yards (1,466) and holds the school record for total touchdowns (57), rushing touchdowns (46) and rushing yards (3,843). In his final season at Alabama, Huff helped lead the Crimson Tide to the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship over Ohio State University.
Huff arrived in Tuscaloosa after one season (2018) as the assistant head coach, run-game coordinator and running backs coach at Mississippi State. His one season in Starkville produced an effective rushing attack that averaged 223.6 yards per game to rank second in the SEC and 20th nationally.
Huff spent four seasons (2014-17) as Penn State's running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He recruited and developed one of the game's most electrifying players in Barkley, who was drafted by the New York Giants as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Numerous records fell at the running back position and on special teams under Huff's tutelage at Penn State.
In 2017, Barkley was a consensus All-American, becoming the first Big Ten running back in history to win Offensive Player of the Year honors twice. A Walter Camp National Player of the Year finalist, Barkley ranked second nationally in all-purpose yards in 2017 (2,329). He broke four school career records, including rushing touchdowns (43), total touchdowns (53), all-purpose yards (5,538) and consecutive games with a touchdown (15) in just three seasons.
Huff spent the 2013 season at Western Michigan as the running backs coach and helped the unit nearly double its rushing yards from 2012. The Broncos ran for 1,394 yards in 2013 after running for just 735 yards the year before.
During the 2012 season, Huff worked in the NFL as the assistant running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. He helped guide C.J. Spiller to his first career 1,000-yard rushing campaign and a Pro Bowl invitation.
In 2011, Huff was on James Franklin's 2011 staff at Vanderbilt as the offensive quality control coach. Huff and Franklin also worked together at Maryland in 2009, when Huff was the assistant offensive line coach. Huff also mentored NFL first-round pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as the tight ends and special teams coach at Tennessee State from 2007-08.
Huff graduated in 2005 from Hampton University where he served as a team captain, starting 12 games at center as a senior in 2005. He also played guard, fullback and tight end in his career.
"My family and I are so fired up about this opportunity," Huff said. "The city of Memphis, the leadership at the University and the level of consistency the football program has had over the recent years is incredible. I would like to thank University President Dr. Bill Hardgrave, Athletics Director Dr. Ed Scott, and their entire team who has instilled their faith in me to lead this outstanding program. To the city of Memphis and Tiger Nation, it's time to STAND UP! To the players and administration, it's go time!"
A native of Denton, Maryland, Huff and his wife, Jessica, have three boys: B.J., Beau and Blaze.
Huff's Coaching History
| 2025 | Southern Mississippi | Head Coach |
| 2021-24 | Marshall | Head Coach |
| 2019-20 | Alabama | Associate Head Coach/Running Banks |
| 2018 | Mississippi State | Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs |
| 2014-17 | Penn State | Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs |
| 2013 | Western Michigan | Running Backs |
| 2012 | Buffalo Bills | Assistant Running Backs |
| 2011 | Vanderbilt | Offensive Quality Control |
| 2010 | Hampton | Offensive Line |
| 2009 | Maryland | Assistant Offensive Line |
| 2007-08 | Tennessee State | Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends |
| 2006 | Tennessee State | Offensive Line |
| 2005 | Hampton | Graduate Assistant |
Huff will officially be recognized in a formal press conference on Wednesday. More details to come at a later time.
Season ticket deposits for the 2026 season can be made by clicking HERE. Please note that the prices shown do not include taxes and fees. Additional information about season ticket renewals will be announced at a later date.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference-November 27, 2025
Thursday, November 27
Football: Tim Cramsey Press Conference-November 24, 2025
Monday, November 24
Football: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-November 24, 2025
Monday, November 24
Football: Brendon Lewis Press Conference-November 24, 2025
Monday, November 24