Being a college football coach is a high-pressure job, especially for coaches in the SEC. They don’t call it “football country” for no reason. Heck, the conference’s slogan is, “It just means more”.
SEC football is the real deal, and for a coach like Sam Pittman at Arkansas, that could mean real pressure heading into 2024.
In fact, according to a new ranking released by On3, Pittman has “extreme” pressure on him heading into this season after going just 4-8 last season — his fourth with the program. Not only will he be under pressure, but he could also be on the hot seat.
“Two years ago, Sam Pittman was riding high and among the most popular figures in Arkansas, but since the Hogs’ surprising 9-4 season in 2021, they’ve gone 11-14 (with nine losses in one-score games). The roster continues to turnover with little stability, and more staff changes took place this offseason, too,” Jesse Simonton wrote. “Arkansas brought in former head coach Bobby Petrino to be Pittman’s newest OC — and potential replacement. Unlike most on this list, Pittman is a real hot-seat candidate, and barring an unexpected bowl season (or better), he’s unlikely to be on the sidelines in 2025.”
Really, its the addition of Bobby Petrino to the staff that should have Pittman worried. Yes, Petrino was fired as head coach at Arkansas in 2012 due to a scandal involving the head coach and an inappropriate relationship with a 25-year-old staffer that, per ESPN at the time, “had crossed the line from infidelity into workplace favoritism.”
While the infamous picture of Petrino in a neckbrace after a motorcycle accident that alerted Arkansas to the improper relationship will likely never fade from the general consciousness of college football, it is worth noting that the Razorbacks were more than excited to bring him back as offensive coordinator.
In the press release, he was hailed as, “One of the nation’s elite offensive minds over the last 40 years of his coaching career.”
One has to wonder how long of a leash that will give Pittman, considering the coach who led Arkansas to a 34-17 overall record and two bowl wins (including a Cotton Bowl victory) from 2008-11 will be standing right over his shoulder.
Pressure? Yeah, that’s pressure alright.
