Tigers beat reporter Jonah Jordan and columnist Geoff Calkins discuss Saturday's matchup between Memphis and the SMU Mustangs; Penny Hardaway's recent thoughts about his team's deficiencies and 2019 recruiting class; football coach Mike Norvell's new staff; and Tony Pollard's decision to enter the NFL Draft.

After discussions with Nick Saban and Alabama, Tigers assistant coach Ryan Silverfield is remaining with Mike Norvell's staff.

New offensive coordinator Kevin Johns brings a resume of explosive play to the Tigers offense under Memphis head coach Mike Norvell. 

Head coach Mike Norvell is preparing for the final leg of the class of 2019.

Memphis Tigers head coach Mike Norvell found what he was looking for when he hired Adam Fuller to lead the Tigers defense.

Running back/kick returner Tony Pollard declared for the NFL Draft after his redshirt junior season. 

Alan Cross, who became popular as a walk-on for Memphis before a three-year NFL career, has returned to the Tigers and will work as a graduate assistant on Mike Norvell's staff.

Memphis coach Mike Norvell promotes Kevin Clune to linebackers coach, completing the Tigers coach's search for assistants.

Memphis among a number of schools pursuing former Rice defensive tackle Zach Abercrumbia who is transferring for his final year of eligibility after graduation. 

Former Rice special teams coordinator Pete Lembo will take over Memphis special teams, replacing Joe Lorig who is off to Texas Tech. 

Former Arizona State running backs coach John Simon will coach wide receivers at the University of Memphis. 

University of Memphis Tigers special teams coordinator Joe Lorig is joining Paul Randolph at Texas Tech. 

Former Texas Tech offensive coordinator Kevin Johns is on the radar to possibly move into a similar position on Memphis coach Mike Norvell's staff, while Deke Adams has become defensive line coach, replacing Paul Randolph

Marshall University defensive coordinator Adam Fuller was officially named University of Memphis defensive coordinator, according to a university release Saturday. 

BIRMINGHAM — He made the first one. Riley Patterson drilled the 38-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. Except Wake Forest called timeout just before the snap. So he had to kick the thing again.

Mike Norvell sat at the podium with quarterback Brady White, running back Tony Pollard and cornerback TJ Carter after the Tigers' 37-34 loss to Wake Forest and expressed excitement about the future of his program. 

BIRMINGHAM — Memphis dropped their fourth straight bowl game in disappointing fashion with a 37-34 loss to Wake Forest.

The University of Memphis (8-5, 5-4 American Athletic Conference) appears in a program-record fifth-straight bowl game when they take on Wake Forest (6-6, 3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) in the Birmingham Bowl at 11 a.m. on ESPN.

Daily Memphian Tigers beat reporter Jonah Jordan is joined by GoTigers247’s Christian Fowler to talk about the 15 prospects U of M signed and the Tigers’ chances of a win at the Birmingham Bowl.

Memphis signed 15 prospects to their class of 2019 Wednesday, addressing important needs in the process -- including four defensive lineman and three defensive backs signed.

The first time Memphis offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield scanned the Tigers roster, he realized there were no players from Nashville listed.

Three-star offensive line commit Jacob Likes is familiar with Memphis because he goes to Christian Brothers High School. Driving to campus means minutes not hours.

Three-star outside linebacker and Memphis commit Ja'len Sims confirmed he will not be signing in the early period, but he will wait until February instead. 

Head coach Mike Norvell held three footballs in his arms while Brady White stood in front of him. Three quarterbacks and a student manager stood in a line across the 40-yard line.

A focus on bolstering the Memphis secondary was evident over the weekend as three prospects – including a pair of defensive backs – committed to the Tigers on Sunday.