Texas Football: Analyst Tony Shields hired away by Memphis

Another staffer has departed the Texas football program to take a job at the Group of Five ranks this offseason under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Multiple reports, including one from On3’s Matt Zenitz on Feb. 22 confirmed that the Memphis Tigers are “expected” to hire Texas player personnel analyst Tony Shields.

The specific role that Shields will reportedly take at Memphis is the director of player personnel, which is a step up in job title and responsibility from what we know of. He will be joining fourth-year head coach Ryan Silverfield’s staff at Memphis.

Last season, Memphis finished up with a record of 7-6 (3-5 AAC) after convincingly beating the Utah State Aggies in the First Responder Bowl by a score of 38-10. Silverfield has a record of 21-15 (.583 winning percentage) during his three seasons at Memphis.

Shields is a fast riser among staffers around the Division I college football landscape in the last few years. He’s recently held staffer positions with the likes of the Old Dominion Monarchs and NC State Wolfpack at the FBS level.

Memphis hires player personnel analyst Tony Shields away from Texas football

At Memphis, Shields will reportedly handle more “general manager” type duties, including helping the Tigers manage their NCAA Transfer Portal strategy and opportunities.

Sark and the Longhorns have now experienced multiple losses on this staff early this offseason. Texas has already replaced its director of high school relations after Chris Gilbert left to take the tight ends coach job with the North Texas Mean Green. Gilbert was replaced by Jahmal Fenner Sr. as the next director of high school relations.

Another key hire that Sark and the Longhorns made this offseason was the former Jacksonville Jaguars first-year wide receivers coach Chris Jackson, who will assume the same role in Austin. Jackson is replacing former pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach Brennan Marion, who left Texas earlier this offseason to take the offensive coordinator job with the UNLV Rebels under new head coach Barry Odom.

Texas finished up last season with a record of 8-5 (6-3 Big 12) following a loss to the No. 12 Washington Huskies in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29. Sark and the Longhorns will open up spring ball this offseason with the first practice on March 6. And then, the annual Orange-White spring football game will take place on April 15 at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.