Can Sam Pittman Solve Growing Cloud of NIL Problems?

Maybe more booster money willing to invest in players, not keep paying folks to leave

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Nov 22, 2023 3:00 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas football's host of problems this year may ultimately lead to problems within the team. A lot of it centers squarely around NIL money. The haves and have-nots is a dilemma for coaches and something they've never had to deal with.

Longtime media and fellow old-timer Mike Irwin with Pig Trail Nation hinted at it with a recent social media posting. The simple bottom line sounds like some players jealous of what others are getting.

He's not the only one who's heard it's an issue that hasn't been solved by Sam Pittman or anyone else around here. That could easily be seen coming when nobody was leaking anything about an NIL major collective for position groups. Texas guarantees every scholarship offensive lineman gets at least $50,000 a year. You can do the math for that yourself, but it's a lot of money requiring donations, and it's required every year. It's why, even though offensive line recruits openly rave about Pittman throughout the process, he never has a chance when it comes to the final decision.

It's Pittman's job to deal with the team internally and make sure everyone plays together. The result may be incredible highs and lows during a season, which is exactly what this Razorbacks' team has produced. If a payroll is late, well, you generally have a problem.

Was Pittman told the locker room problems from NIL are his to solve and he may get to at least start next season? How long that continues likely depends on results. Boosters have told me the same thing because many feel this whole coaching buyout issue with the Hogs has gotten out of hand.

This is what college sports has become. The written contract usually is cloudy at best and they are simply the starting point for one side or the other to break it. All that's left is usually the negotiation of how much the breakup is going to cost somebody. The biggest Hogs' boosters may be tired of paying folks just to not be here.