Sam Pittman & Dan Enos Reunited: A Look Back to 2015

Sam Pittman and Dan Enos last took the field together in 2015 as assistants under then-head coach, Bret Bielema. The SEC landscape looked very different; Florida was winning the East, Gus Malzahn was on the Plains, and Les Miles was eating grass in Baton Rouge.

Following the 2022 season – and a dramatic Kendal Briles departure in January – Coach Pittman reached out to Enos about reuniting in Fayetteville this fall. So, why Dan Enos?

“I hired Dan Enos because I thought he was the best play-caller I’ve ever worked with, and I felt like that’s what we need.”, Pittman said at SEC Media Day. Some may scratch their head but when we look back to 2015, there is evidence to support the theory that Dan Enos may be exactly what the Arkansas offense needs.

How 2015 went

The Razorbacks went 8-5 in 2015 and scored 45 points or more in five games. Dan Enos’ 2015 offense produced solid numbers across the board. Brandon Allen threw for 3,440 yards and 30 touchdowns and Alex Collins rushed for 1,643 yard and 20 touchdowns. Despite a thin receiving group, seven Hogs would haul in touchdowns led by Hunter Henry and Drew Morgan. 

Arkansas started the season with an expected 48-13 win against UTEP, then proceeded to lose three in a row to Toledo in Little Rock (Woof!), to a Patrick Mahomes-led Texas Tech, and against #14 Texas A&M in overtime at Jerry World.

The Hogs began to see the light with a win in Knoxville against a very good Tennessee team. The Volunteers’ offense was loaded in 2015 with Josh Dobbs and Alvin Kamara leading UT to a 9-5 record. That momentum was halted when Arkansas headed to Tuscaloosa and lost to the eventual National Champions. Derrick Henry went on to win the Heisman in 2015 and was an absolute cheat code. The Hogs are 2-4 at this point but they begin to turn a corner…

The Razorbacks rattle off a four game streak, wining six of the last seven games. They win 54-48 in 4OT vs Auburn. They beat UT-Martin 63-28. *The Henry Heave* happens in OT to beat #18 Ole Miss 53-52 and the streak is punctuated with a 31-14 victory at #9 LSU.

The Hogs lose 51-50 to a Dak Prescott-led Mississippi State in Fayetteville in Week 11, and end the regular season with a win at Missouri. The Arkansas Razorbacks end their season with a 45-23 Liberty Bowl victory against Kansas State, securing Bret Bielema’s best record during his time with Arkansas.

Fast forward to 2023

Dan Enos’ return to Fayetteville in 2023 is full of similarities to the Razorback team in 2015. He has a solid quarterback, a stable of running backs, and a fanbase hungry to get over the proverbial hump.

KJ Jefferson threw for 2,634 yards in 2022, completing 68% of his passes, and accounting for 33 total touchdowns. We saw Allen’s numbers increase by 1,200 passing yards and 8 touchdowns from 2014 to 2015 – my expectations for KJ are similar. He boasts a stronger arm than Brandon Allen and has statistically been more efficient through the air. But KJ’s athleticism is really what sets him apart nationally and will be on full display in 2023.

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders rushed for over 1,400 yards in 2022, and accounted for 12 total touchdown. AJ Green rushed for 400 yards and Rashod Dubinion was just shy of 300 yards on the season. All signs point towards improvement for all three in Dan Enos system. Let’s not forget about Dominique Johnson being  healthy and adding a fourth threat to the backfield. In 2021, DJ had seven rushing touchdowns and could be called upon in short-yardage situations this year.

Similar to 2015, the wide receiver group is one of the biggest question marks entering this season. Arkansas added Isaac Teslaa, Andrew Armstrong, and Tyler Broden to that group in response to the departures of Jaedon Hasselwood, Matt Landers, and others. Bryce Stephens is our top returning receiver from last years group and accounted for just over 100 yards in 2022. Don’t panic – that might be a crucial part of the reason Pittman thought of Enos.

Comparisons between the two seasons

What does this team need? Balance. Dan Enos-style of offense is one that is well-balanced. In 2015, Arkansas had five receivers tally over 375 yards – Hunter Henry, Drew Morgan, Dominique Reed, Jared Cornelius, and Jeremy Sprinkle. There is no doubt that Arkansas will need some new guys step up, and they will need to do so in a hurry. With some of the new faces in the locker room, I’m optimistic that it is more than doable.

One of the biggest additions during the offseason from my seat is Var’Keyes Gumms. Gumms is a 6’3 TE who made his way to Fayetteville by way of North Texas where he accounted for 458 yards and 5 touchdowns. While he may not be as big as some tightends throughout the SEC, he brings a versatility and athleticism to the team that may be exactly what KJ Jefferson needs from that position.

Isaac Teslaa is a name that people have been talking about all Spring. Not just because of his oft-mispronounced last name but because he is 6’4 210lbs and was relatively unheard of. Teslaa tallied 1,110 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns at Hillsdale College last year. Not to mention that his highlight tape is full of acrobatic one-handed catches and visually appeasing athleticism. The jump from D-II to the SEC is not one to be taken lightly and Teslaa has undoubtedly been met with a big learning curve. That said, he has the size and athleticism to be able to contribute in Week 1.

Andrew Armstrong is another 6’4 receiver that has Arkansas fans hopeful. Armstrong finished the season with 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns for Texas A&M-Commerce last year. Like Teslaa, there are some question marks about the jump to the SEC. That said, he chose Arkansas over multiple D-I offers from major programs. Miami, Missouri, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, and many others courted Armstrong before he chose Fayetteville as his new home. Highlights from workouts have shown a growing connection between Armstrong and Jefferson that we hope blossoms this Fall.

Let’s not forget Tyrone Broden! Broden transferred to Arkansas from Bowling Green and has elite size and speed. Listed at 6’7 and 200 lbs, Broden hauled in 68 passes for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Falcons. He hasn’t been as talked about but is expected to make an immediate impact this year. Boden boasts the most D-I experience, towers over his peers, and brings a quickness that will be on full display this fall.

Maybe the most important returning Razorback is Isaiah Sategna. Sategna’s playing time last year shouldn’t be any indicator for 2023 expectations. What Isaiah may lack in stature, the former four star prospect makes up for with his world class speed. Isaiah led the nation in receiving yards his senior year, accounting for 1,900 receiving yards. He flashed his capabilities in the Red-White game, finishing with almost 100 yards and two touchdowns. The idea of Isaiah in the slot with the big men lined up outside, could equal a sneaky-great year for he speedster in 2023.

Bryce Stephens was a popular name last season and could make a big splash in 2023. Sam Mbake was a four star receiver who moved to the secondary last year amongst position-wide injuries. Jaedon Wilson was forced to miss the Spring after being involved in a car wreck in May but could certainly contribute.

There are many newcomers who could make an impact in 2022 but those listed are the front runners for playing time. While size and speed isn’t lacking, it comes down to the game plan and balance. Enos has helped develop quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagiovala who are now NFL starters. The plan is for Enos to do the same with Jefferson. Reports out of Fayetteville indicate that KJ has already made strides on his mechanics and ball delivery. 2023 could be a lot of fun.

2023’s Arkansas Razorbacks are eerily similar to the 2015 team when Enos joined Arkansas the first time. If Enos brings the same well-balanced attack and molds KJ how he has others in the past, Arkansas may have what it takes to overcome those single-digit games in 2023.