Razorbacks' Yurachek Finally Releases Statement on Pittman

Social media post confident Hogs won't be in crowded market for new coach this year

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Nov 19, 2023 4:16 PM EST
Original:
Nov 19, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman will be coming back for a fifth season in 2024, putting to bed all the swirling comments he was going to be fired. Razorbacks athletics director Hunter Yuracheck apparently informed players and staff on Saturday that Coach Sam Pittman will return for a fifth season in 2024.

An official statement released by Yurachek on social media confirmed the report. Pittman has a 23-24 overall record during his time in Fayetteville. Friday's' game against Missouri will give him a chance to reach .500.

Prior to Arkansas' game against FIU, ESPN's Rod Gilmore said Pittman's job is not on the line ahead of their game against Florida International. He said the coach told him he and athletics director Hunter Yurachek "had a two-hour meeting this week" and the Arkansas coach was confident in saying he's not getting fired this year.

In response, Pittman was quite confused by the report stating he didn't recall a conversation about his job status.

“I don’t remember having that conversation with those guys," Pittman said when asked about it in his postgame with the media. "When we start talking about firing and all of that, it kills us in recruiting. Especially when we fabricate stories. I don’t think I’m getting fired, guys. Otherwise [Hunter Yurachek] would have told me I’m getting fired."

Coming off one of the darkest eras in Razorback football history, Pittman dealt with COVID restrictions and an all SEC schedule to begin his tenure in 2020. The Razorbacks finished with a 3-7 record and laying a solid foundation for the future.

In 2021, Arkansas peaked with a 9-4 finish including an Outback Bowl win over Penn State. Both marks were the best since finishing with 11 wins in 2011.

Despite a disappointing 2023 season with a pair of dark horse Heisman candidates in the backfield, Arkansas wound up firing new offensive coordinator Dan Enos after eight games. The move appears to have saved Pittman's job for at least another season. Prior to the firing, Arkansas was mired in a six-game losing streak which included five one possession losses, a run game that scored zero touchdowns and compiling less than 400 yards per game. The brightest moment of the season came when the Razorbacks defeated Florida in The Swamp for the first time in series history.

Arkansas will host Missouri in Friday's Battle Line Rivalry inside Razorback Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 PM in Fayetteville.