A Cultural Playbook for Memphis Football
When Memphis announced Charles Huff as its new football coach, the program was coming off a 7‑5 season at Southern Miss and looking for a fresh direction. Huff, who had built a reputation for offensive creativity, stepped onto the campus with a clear mandate: to embed a culture that could sustain success beyond a single win.
Central to his vision is a partnership with Shaka Smart, the architect of Marquette’s basketball resurgence. Smart’s work on “kills” – three consecutive defensive stops – and his Energy Generating Behaviors (EGBs) have been transplanted onto the gridiron. Huff explains that the football team now tracks high‑fives, celebratory gestures and other positive actions as measurable indicators of momentum.
Smart’s basketball pedigree, forged at VCU where he led the Rams to the 2011 Final Four, is built on a philosophy of awareness, readiness and relentless pressure. His six‑page “stealing from football” manuscript catalogues ideas he has lifted from college and pro coaches, illustrating a cross‑sport dialogue that Huff hopes to continue.
The mentorship between the two coaches began when BJ Collins, Huff’s son, attended a Marquette camp linked to Smart’s network. Their dialogue evolved from casual conversations into a structured exchange, with Smart offering a 26‑page culture document that outlines daily habits, accountability metrics and a shared language for energy. Huff has incorporated many of those habits, from pre‑practice stretches to post‑game reflections.
Beyond Smart, Huff has sought counsel from veteran coaches such as Charlie Strong, Jimbo Fisher and Brian Kelly, weaving their insights into a hybrid approach that blends offensive firepower with defensive discipline. The resulting playbook reflects a synthesis of ideas, with Smart’s “kills” concept now describing a three‑play sequence designed to shift field position quickly.
If the early signs are any indication, the culture shift could translate into tangible results on the field. By measuring EGBs and emphasizing positive reinforcement, the Memphis staff believes they can create a self‑propelling environment that mirrors the momentum swings Smart mastered in basketball. The 2026 season will serve as the first real test of whether a basketball‑inspired framework can thrive in college football.