Fox Sports Radio Analyst on Sam Pittman's Future

Razorbacks already seeing national media counting numbers on coach's future

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Oct 10, 2023 10:48 AM EDT
Original:
Oct 10, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There weren't many college football programs on a run as good as Arkansas before Sept. 24, 2022. Winning 12 of their previous 16 games leading up to that point, the Hogs seemed destined to return to national prominence. Recruiting was improving, elite talent was added through the transfer portal and they seemed to be closing the gap between themselves and the SEC's best.

Since the Superman leap and fumble recovery by Texas A&M on that night in Arlington, things have simply been out of sorts for the Razorbacks. Arkansas is 6-10 their loss to the Aggies including a 2-8 mark in the SEC. One question that has been asked by Fox Sports Radio's Aaron Torres is if Sam Pittman's days at Arkansas numbered.

There were five head coaching changes made based off performance before the calendar turned to November last season. Scott Frost (Nebraska), Brian Harsin (Auburn), Herm Edwards (Arizona State), Geoff Collins (Georgia Tech), and Paul Chryst (Wisconsin) were all shown the door early. Torres noted he doesn't see that happening much during the very quiet 2023 coaching carousel. One coach he named during his podcast was Pittman.

"Not to say he is going to be fired or I want him to be fired," Torres said. "But, I do think as time goes on and things get uglier and uglier, it's worth being considered."

It's not to say Pittman's done a terrible job with the Hogs. Winning nine games in Year 2 was like performing a Christmas miracle considering the mess he inherited following the ouster of Chad Morris. The program seems to have hit a pothole with both front tires, coming away with bent rims. Driving on them isn't making a turnaround any easier.

"Listen, two years ago was really good," Torres said. "Last year was 7-6 and they went to a bowl game. But, you have to look at trends and there is no doubt that this team is trending in the wrong direction."

The failure to capitalize on closing close games has been a big knock on Pittman's tenure. Since his arrival, the Hogs have played in 19 games decided by one possession, winning only five.

"[Arkansas} has not been good in big games that matter," Torres said. "And they've not been good against really anyone but the dregs of college football. Their two best wins were against a good Ole Miss team and an Auburn team that fired Brian Harsin on Monday of the following week."

Talking about games that matter, losing to teams Arkansas is expected to beat puts a black eye on a good resume. That is something that will be held against any Razorback coach for the remainder of a tenure, especially if things do not improve.

"They have losses to Liberty last year and BYU this year at home," Torres said. "These are games that you are supposed to win at home and Sam Pittman isn't doing that right now."

A 2-4 start to the regular season was never expected considering all the pieces returning. Changes in the offseason were made for improvement or stability. However, the offensive side of the football hasn't held up to the agreement. Torres went on to explain the whole offense is in flux and doesn't look to be improving anytime soon.

"Beyond that the product on the field has not been good," Torres said. "I know the losses to LSU and Ole Miss were close. This is a team with a veteran quarterback, a veteran run game and I know [Raheim Sanders] has been hurt. Oh, by the way, the head coach has a background as an offensive line coach, but this offense is terrible. They have the worst offense in the SEC and it's getting worse by the week."

The Hogs have allowed KJ Jefferson to be sacked 23 times this season which ranks No. 124 in all of college football. The odd thing is Arkansas isn't even the worst in the SEC at protecting the quarterback. That just so happens to be the team they face this Saturday in Alabama. The Crimson Tide come in at No. 130 out of 133 schools, allowing 26 sacks.

With the protection struggles the offensive line has faced, it's equally as bad of a unit in rushing. This is the same unit that recently paved the way for one of the most potent running games in the country. Two years ago, the Hogs led all Power Five teams with 237 yards per game on the ground. Just a year ago, it helped Sanders to 1,400 yards and an average of 237 yards again which was good for second in the SEC and fourth amongst Power Five conference members.

However, that once feared rushing attack sits in neutral. Over the past eight quarters Arkansas has rushed 67 times for a grand total of 78 yards. A beautiful 1.2 yards per attempt.

With all the negative press there is still time for Arkansas turn its football fortunes around. The Razorbacks are favored in four of their final six games to end the 2023 season, according to ESPN Analytics. If they're able to finish the season at 4-2 it would likely borrow Pittman more time to right the ship.

However, if Pittman and the Hogs aren't able to find a way to win another game on this schedule outside of FIU, Torres suggests there could be changes made in Fayetteville.

"If [Arkansas] doesn't get to a bowl that's tough," Torres said. "If you go winless in the SEC in year four you can't justify [Pittman] coming back for year five."