The sweltering heat of summer enters the air. The smell of grills in the area indicates that the Arkansas football season is on the horizon. In some eyes, the seat of Razorback head coach Sam Pittman is hotter than any grill across the state. Look at the overall record of 30-31. He is entering his sixth season at the helm. Some say it is a no-brainer. To the contrary, we see wins that matter in the longevity of a program that can thrive in a new world of college athletics.
Below, we will analyze whether the effect is still real in Fayetteville. Next, we analyze the staff surrounding Pittman and how he has managed to quiet the outside noise. Finally, the wins under Pittman matter despite what others may say.
Is The Effect Still Real?
From the opening press conference for Pittman, we have seen that he runs the program from a “CEO” style approach. With this, the head Hog wowed the fans and national media with a three-win, all-SEC, opening season.
Now, think back to the nine-win season in 2021. That includes the win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl, the only win in program history over a Big Ten program. In this season, the total wins included their three “trophy” games versus Texas A&M, LSU, and Missouri, which had not been accomplished since the 2015 season.
This is a moment felt here in Fayetteville by the fan base. Any good will has been squandered with two six-win seasons sandwiched around a four-win slate in the 2023 season. Some of this turmoil has been caused by coaching changes. Yet Pittman has steadily navigated while still winning meaningful games.
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Complementing Cast On Sideline
As with any new coach, they need people on staff and around them to lean on for advice. Alongside Pittman, we have seen coaches such as Kendal Briles, John Chavis, and Barry Odom who have been this conduit. The successful seasons under Pittman have been with this connection on the sidelines.
Before last season, we saw what many said would never happen: the return of Bobby Petrino. The former Arkansas head coach, who served from 2008 to 2011, was brought back by Pittman and named Offensive Coordinator. In 2024, the Razorbacks’ offense started the season scoring on all 10 possessions while outgaining Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 687-130, in a 70-0 blowout, which is the most lopsided win in 96 seasons.
On the defensive side of the ball, Pittman found a productive duo. The Co-Defensive Coordinators of Travis Williams and Marcus Woodson have paid off in several ways for the Razorbacks. This unit only allowed 376 yards per game while sacking the opposing quarterbacks 26 times.
Outside Noise Doesn’t Matter
The noise has gotten loud for Pittman. The above-mentioned four-win season, along with two six-win slates, has some of the fans chirping loudly for him to be replaced. While the loudmouths of the fanbase may believe Pittman hears them, he seems to have noise-canceling headphones on. To further this point, when speaking on this topic, Pittman said, “Everybody’s got an opinion, mine’s the only one that really matters.”.
The six-year leader of the program underwent hip surgery immediately following the 2024 season, which uprooted many unsubstantial rumors regarding a potential retirement. Pittman spoke to this, and his future, by stating that he “wants to coach through that obligation.”, which is three more seasons. Despite the nearly even overall record, fans expect perfection, as with most college programs across the nation. Take this, plus the pressure of the SEC, and it can at times be too much for coaches.
Pittman has wins that matter, despite what keyboard warriors may say. In fact, no other coach in program history to won his first three bowl games. Speaking of postseason play, Pittman holds an unblemished 3-0 record entering this season.
Wins Matter
In addition to these three bowl wins, the Razorbacks and their fans have had many celebrations during this tenure. The infamous ‘Cold Beer’ statement following the win over #15 Texas in the 2021 season, as fans cheered and praised the team and Pittman. Just two seasons later, Arkansas traveled to Gainesville, Florida, to defeat the Gators, on the road, for the first time in program history with a 39-36 timeless battle. To close the next season, in the Liberty Bowl, Arkansas edged Kansas 55-53 in a three-overtime thriller in Memphis.
We saw more magic under Pittman in 2024. The Razorbacks defeated then fourth-ranked Tennessee 19-14 in the first home win versus a top-five team since 1999. With teams such as Notre Dame coming to Fayetteville in the 2025 slate, could we see more upsets in what has become a staple of the Razorbacks under Sam Pittman?
In closing, being successful at any level of college football is difficult. To open the 2025 season, on August 30th, versus Alabama A&M, Pittman will have an opportunity to even his record as the head man of Arkansas. In addition, he will begin his 6th season, which is tied for the third-longest in the SEC. Some may not be pleased by this, but the wins that have taken place under Pittman matter. Based on what we have analyzed, the CEO of the Arkansas Razorbacks has a formula for success, and the administration has his support.
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