Sam Pittman’s seat isn’t close to being hot

Arkansas head coach, Sam Pittman, has reigned supreme in Fayetteville since December 2019. During that time the Razorbacks were in the worst stretch in program history and hired an offensive line coach to replace Chad Morris (4-18 overall record).

Not the first choice

That wasn’t the ideal hire AD Hunter Yurachek had planned as many believe Lane Kiffin was the $5 million dollar man and the future of Razorback Football. That hiring fell through and it seemed like Arkansas was continuing to fall backwards into college football purgatory. Who hires a line coach anyway? There was no reason for this to even work. First thought was this is a John L. Smith situation. Boy, were we all wrong.

The Razorbacks have gone 19-17 overall since 2020 and Yurachek says that Covid season doesn’t really count due to opt-outs, recruiting restrictions and 80-percent empty stadiums. We saw Arkansas quickly rebound two seasons removed from their worst stretch to go 9-4 in ‘year 2’ under Pittman. That in its own was special and ahead of schedule for a program that was essentially dead. Super seniors and a super bond between the team helped make 2021 a special season that was not able to be duplicated in 2022.

Where the hot seat talk came from

Although they started 3-0, things unraveled due to a fumble at the 3-yard line that was returned for a touchdown against Texas A&M and things never got back on track. Sure there were moments throughout the season including a whipping post beatdown of Ole Miss.

Here’s a second chance to continue on the upward trajectory that was started two seasons ago. The schedule is very tough especially with a four-game road stretch against LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Alabama in consecutive weeks. Winning two or three of those games will be great but maybe just winning one while also taking care of the homefield can catapult them to a nine win regular season for the first time since 2011.

What would make his seat hot, though? Regression.

See, if he slides to six wins which I don’t see happening could start toasting the seat. It sure wouldn’t be burning but it could get toasty. Continually doing less with the best high school recruiting plus top-15 transfer portal classes are wasted. Losing four games within one possession made some question what could of been. But, if Arkansas maintains a healthy roster but puts out lesser results mediocrity will settle in causing unrest amongst the fanbase again.

How I see it is there’s no way Arkansas loses more than four regular season games in 2023. That will keep the seat cool for Pittman. The Hogs boast one of the best offensive backfields in the country. They’re attacking defensive front that likes to sack quarterbacks. A big if is the secondary and how improved they’ll be. Upgrades to the assistant coaching room with the likes of Marcus Woodson and Deron Wilson are putting Arkansas Football on the brink of something special.

Finally, take whatever lenses you’re looking through off and realize the Pittman won’t be fired if his program remains competitive. Rough losing seasons weren’t too long ago.

Plus, Yurachek will not tolerate continual mediocre ball. So, falling below 6-7 wins will be the dealbreaker in Fayetteville. He’s raised the expectations around campus when it comes to Razorback athletics. Coaches are kept to a higher standards these days. Yurachek definitely won’t waiver from that.