Razorbacks Don't Really Care What Others Think on Decisions

Sam Pittman made that clear after criticism of his hiring of Bobby Petrino

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Dec 8, 2023 3:42 PM EST
Original:
Dec 8, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In this day and age where folks think they have a vote, you may be a little surprised to find you don't. Regardless what you want Sam Pittman and everybody to do, Arkansas isn't really going to pay attention.

Or particularly care how you react. You can probably add newly-hired offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to that mix as well. More coaches than you'd like to suspect really don't pay close attention to social media, the negative chatter or message board warriors.

“You’re going to have people that don’t agree with a lot of things in life,” Pittman said last week at press conference with Petrino. “My message is that we’re doing the best we possibly can do for the state of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas. If every decision I make or everything that I’ve done, and I’m worried about how it’s going to be received, then I’m not being true to myself, and to me, this was the best hire for our university, our program and our state. And so I’m going to stand very firm behind that, and if people don’t like it, I’m sorry.”

Bobby Petrino coaching Razorbacks in 2011 game with South Carolina

The only person Pittman really has to please is athletics director Hunter Yurachek. Petrino only has to keep those two happy. They all know the deciding factor is wins. That's not all the outside noise, despite the fact fans are perfectly free to use the various methods available to them sitting behind a keyboard to say pretty much whatever they want these days.

“My beliefs are that it’s OK for people to disagree, have different thoughts, different opinions,” Petrino said. “I grew up where this is the United States of America. Everybody can have their own thoughts, their own religion and you know what, that’s OK. That’s just one of the greatest things about a football team. Guys come from everywhere. I don’t have any ill feelings toward anybody that disagrees. I just wish it was that for everybody.”

Bobby Petrino as head coach in a game against Tennessee in 2011 — (Beth Hall / USA TODAY Sports)

It's amazing we didn't have any Pittmanese to translate on what Sam said. He can be clear as the sun shining when he wants. Petrino probably doesn't know or really care what you think. Most play callers don't. It's hard to call plays if you're worried about what anyone thinks.

It's just nice to hear somebody actually say it. Whether some of us agree or not, well, that doesn't really matter either. Coaches don't have to get fans' approval before making decisions.