Petrino seeking to restore accountability Pittman let slide with Razorbacks

Bobby Petrino’s interim tenure could re-establish discipline and urgency in program desperately in need of it now

Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and coach Sam Pittman during first practice of fall camp in Fayetteville, Ark. | Andy Hodges-Hogs on SI Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas didn’t just lose under Sam Pittman. It lost its edge.

The Razorbacks became sloppy, undisciplined and soft, the kind of program opponents no longer feared. Pittman’s downfall wasn’t about one bad Saturday in Razorback Stadium in front of a national TV audience against Notre Dame, one of the biggest brands in college football..

It was years of letting accountability slide until it no longer existed.

None of this is a knock on Pittman personally. Sam was maybe the most down-to-earth guy the Hogs have had as a coach. I've seen them all going back to Frank Broyles' complete time at Arkansas.

In the end, that may have been his downfall. He never lost the image of being that offensive line coach that would drink an ol' cold beer on the dock of a lake watching the boats go past.

That’s why Hunter Yurachek made the call to fire him after five games. It wasn’t just about the 56–13 embarrassment against the Irish.

It was about a team that couldn’t line up without drawing flags, couldn’t finish tackles, and couldn’t hold itself to a standard. The Razorbacks looked like they were going through the motions, and Pittman let it happen.

Enter Bobby Petrino, back in charge with the interim tag, and his first order of business was to say what Pittman wouldn’t — the excuses are done.

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman walking the field during Sunday's fall camp practices on the outdoor fields in Fayetteville, Ark. | Andy Hodges-Hogs On SI Images

Pittman’s culture turned comfortable instead of competitive

Pittman won fans early because he was real. He connected with people. His players loved him, and in 2021 Arkansas looked revitalized. But by 2023, the cracks were visible. By 2024, the program was hollowed out.

Too many mistakes were brushed off. Too many repeat errors went unpunished. Players weren’t afraid of losing playing time, even if they missed tackles or blew assignments week after week. Practices lost intensity. The Razorbacks weren’t physical.

What started as a strength with Pittman’s ability to connect turned into a weakness.

He became a players’ coach in the worst way by appearing to be unwilling to confront problems head-on. SEC football doesn’t reward comfort. It rewards demand and detail.

Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino during a practice in Fayetteville, Ark. | Andy Hodges-Hogs on SI Images

Petrino’s message is blunt and uncompromising

Petrino didn’t waste time trying to sugarcoat things. His first move as interim coach was firing three defensive coaches, including coordinator Travis Williams.

That wasn’t about finding a scapegoat. It was about sending a message: if you don’t perform, you’re gone.

He promoted Kolby Smith and Chris Wilson but kept himself in the mix for playcalling.

“I’m still going to call the plays," Petrino said. "I’ll be very involved in third-down situations and game preparation."

The translation: ishe’s not hiding behind assistants. If it fails, it’s on him.

That kind of ownership has been missing. Pittman too often talked about execution without holding anyone responsible. Petrino, for better or worse, doesn’t dodge accountability. He demands it.

Arkansas needs tough love, not a pat on the back

The Razorbacks don’t need another pep talk. They don’t need another round of “we’ll get it fixed.” They need someone to bench players who keep making the same mistakes. They need someone willing to call out sloppy practices and missed assignments.

Pittman stopped being that coach. He let the team get soft.

Petrino, even if only temporarily, has reminded everyone that Arkansas football isn’t supposed to be about comfort. It’s supposed to be about competition.

Fans don’t have to love Petrino. They don’t have to forgive his past. But they can recognize what’s been missing: a coach willing to make hard choices and demand standards.

Accountability won’t fix roster, but it sets tone

No one expects Petrino to turn this team into an SEC contender overnight. The roster is thin, the schedule brutal, and the recruiting class shaky. But demanding accountability is the one thing he can control right now.

Even if the wins don’t come immediately, Arkansas can at least stop embarrassing itself with unforced errors. It can start to rebuild an identity as a program that competes every snap. That alone would be a step forward from the mess Pittman left behind.

Key takeaways

• Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks grew soft as accountability slipped away.

• Bobby Petrino is setting a tougher standard with immediate staff changes and blunt messaging.

• Wins may not come quickly, but accountability gives Arkansas a chance to regain its edge.