FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Arkansas football head coach Sam Pittman received a meaningful endorsement from athletic director Hunter Yurachek after the Razorbacks win over FIU Saturday, according to 247sports.com.
Sam Pittman will continue to lead the Razorbacks, as head coach Yurachek told the team and players of Arkansas last night, according to Matt Zenitz’s report on Sunday morning. Following Zenitz’s disclosure, more rumors indicated that Pittman would return in 2024.
Pittman’s continued employment as Arkansas’ head coach has been called into question following the Hogs’ humiliating 48-10 loss to Auburn. With that loss, Arkansas’s chances of making it to a bowl game were dashed, as they are now 3-7 for the year. With a 44-20 victory over FIU on Saturday, the Hogs recovered.
ESPN pundit Rod Gilmore claimed during the FIU game that Pittman had assured him he wouldn’t be let go this season.
He told us yesterday that he wouldn’t be let go this year, Gilmore remarked. They haven’t forgotten what he’s done with this program.
Under Pittman, Arkansas is experiencing its worst season to date. In each of his previous three seasons, the Hogs had won three or more SEC games. In the season finale on Friday against No. 9 Missouri, Arkansas can win its second straight conference game.
With Arkansas finishing 3-7 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Pittman’s first season demonstrated rapid improvement. After defeating a highly regarded Mississippi State squad, the Razorbacks snapped their SEC skid, and all three of their victories came against league opponents.
Pittman began to gain a lot of traction in 2021. With a 9-4 record, Arkansas defeated Texas, LSU, and Texas A&M.
It was the second time in 10 years the Razorbacks won eight games in a season, and the future in Fayetteville looked bright under the former offensive line coach.
However, things started to falter in 2022. Despite starting the season ranked 19th in the nation, Arkansas went 7-6. The Razorbacks were carried by an explosive offense led by KJ Jefferson and Rocket Sanders, and a victory over Kansas in the Liberty Bowl gave them some hope for 2023.
The USA TODAY Network was able to get Pittman’s contract, which states that if the institution terminates him without cause before December 1, 2023, he will be entitled to a minimum of $16.1 million. A condition included by Yurachek states that if Pittman’s record (not counting the shorter 2020 season) ever falls below $500, his buyout will be reduced to 50% of the remaining balance. Pittman’s buyout would then total about $10.7 million.
Since 2021, Pittman is 19-17, meaning the below-.500 clause cannot trigger until next season, with Arkansas having two games remaining in 2023.
