FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football secured its spot in the college football postseason Saturday with a 35-14 victory over Louisiana Tech, and there’s a growing sense that Sam Pittman will be returning next fall for his sixth year with the program.
The Razorbacks (6-4) have now won two more games than they did last year, and Pittman’s buyout is in an unfavorable position for a firing based on his record since 2021. With schools needing to build up a bigger budget to pay players next year based off NCAA settlement allowing revenue-sharing with athletes, all signs are pointing to Pittman surviving his blistering spot on the preseason hot seat.
And after his latest win, Pittman sounded a confident figure, just like he did last year.
“I’ve never one time worried about my job. I promise you, not one time. So you know I wish we’d kind of move on because it kills us in recruiting,” Pittman said.
“I’ve never worried about that. Still don’t. I’m going to be fine one way or the other, but I’m going to fight like Hell for the University of Arkansas the entire time that I’m the head coach.”
After the game, Pittman expressed relief that his team was bowl eligible, but he stressed that it is not the ultimate goal. He has higher expectations for the program, but this was the start in a turnaround after last year’s 4-8 debacle.
Pittman also reiterated Saturday, as he did during Wednesday’s SEC Teleconference, that he believes Arkansas will be able to recruit better under the proposed revenue-sharing system. He’s optimistic the program can make further improvements in the years to come. He is now 29-30 as the Arkansas head coach.
There was buzz last year that Pittman would be fired, but Yurachek gave the head coach a public endorsement following a 44-20 win over FIU. He returned this year and has the Razorbacks headed to a bowl game for the third time in four seasons.
When Pittman arrived at Arkansas, the Razorbacks were coming off back-to-back seasons with just two victories under Chad Morris. Pittman has recorded at least three SEC victories in four seasons. Arkansas had only crossed that threshold twice in the previous eight years before his arrival.
Now, the focus is on closing strong. Arkansas will face Missouri next week with a chance to display just how much its improved since last year’s 48-14 drubbing at the hands of the Tigers.