Sam Pittman's Job May be Safe, But Starting to Sound Tenuous

Razorbacks coach got dreaded vote of confidence from Hunter Yurachek after win

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Nov 20, 2023 9:53 AM EST
Original:
Nov 19, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Whether Sam Pittman likes it or not, his job status is going to be a topic of conversation for most of the another year. Sorry, Sam, but that's just the way it's going to be, and most of the media will talk about it because there will be plenty of fans discussing it.

Now, whether he thinks we wretched media types should be fans or not is probably a question for another day. When holiday plans become suddenly clear before Thanksgiving, you can count on additional questions for awhile. All it takes are a few wins, but I'm always amazed when coaches assume we're all fans.

"When we start talking about firing and all of this, it kills us in recruiting," Pittman said Saturday night. "It does, especially when we fabricate stories and put it out, kill us in recruiting. We give opinions about who's coming in, all those type things, it kills us."

Wait, what? Nothing we write or talk about hurts nearly as bad as a 23-24 record over the last four seasons with one game left. The bottom line, though, is money. Nobody really wants to admit it, and everybody can have a differing public view about this whole NIL thing if they want, but the bottom line is nearly all of it comes down to money. That's like most things in the world these days.

This NIL thing likely isn't going anywhere. There will never be a return to the way things were just five years ago in college football. With this whole transfer portal, the face of recruiting will keep changing and fewer high school players will hang around to be developed.

And that is going to be all about the money. That's about the only thing you can take to the bank. Athletic departments are in the business of raising serious money. They might want to check into these folks who raise political money. It's an arms race in college athletics going forward, and the weapon is money. It doesn't matter if you like it or not.