Hogs' Sam Pittman Trusts Us, So Why Practices Closed Now?

There once was a time when nothing was closed, but that was a Top 10 team regularly

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Nov 1, 2023 4:17 PM EDT
Original:
Oct 30, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It was interesting to see a question thrown Sam Pittman's way in Monday's press conference that didn't come from one of the old-timers. Practices for Arkansas this week before Saturday's game with Florida are closed all week to the media, which seemed a little strange.

"We trust you," Pittman said. "It doesn't have anything to do with that. We've had plenty of distractions. I'm just trying to close it in and make it about us this week to be honest with you. I don't have a problem with y'all coming to practice at all."

Some of us are still around when we had to wait on 'em to come out, stay for the entire workout and talk to who we wanted as they came off the field. A lot of the times with Frank Broyles and Lou Holtz, there would be several separate interviews going on all over the place. This happened every day for some of the bigger games.

Yeah, the good old days. Of course, the Hogs were only ranked in the Top 10 of the polls every week throughout most of the seasons, so it certainly is much bigger these days. They are in the SEC and that's a much bigger deal because nobody else has much media access these days.

Pittman has been around a bit. He knew the main story this week is about how Kenny Guiton is directing the offense, taking over for Dan Enos after a disturbing 7-3 loss to Mississippi State that may have been much bigger than who called the plays, but that's a different story for a different day.

Not that there will be any particularly big surprises this week. You can't change the basic offense now because the Razorbacks, sitting at 2-6 on a six-game losing streak, simply don't have the time available. Plus, they desperately need any kind of win now.

Guiton is only throwing "about 30%" into the trash from what they were doing, according to Pittman. That's all? It was surprising the number was so low. Many of us figured it would be closer to half, but it's at least a start.

What Pittman is doing, simply, is taking the pressure off Guiton, who will be doing his thing from the press box. About the only thing affected by this is the focus of the television reporters because so much going on down on the sidelines. It just looks like organized chaos most of the time, anyway.

"It's something with Kenny and his new role and things of that nature," Pittman said. "I'm trying to take any added pressure that he might have off of him."

Maybe making Guiton available to talk with the media might help a little. We won't get to talk to him until at least spring practice next year, assuming everybody is still around by then. Otherwise it will just be a footnote on a disappointing season for just about everybody.