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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
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Ian Casselberry

Arkansas AD Announces Sam Pittman Will Return in 2024, and Razorbacks Fans Aren’t Happy

Arkansas improved its overall record to 4–7 after a nonconference 44–16 win over FIU in Week 12 of the 2023 season. However, the Razorbacks’ record in the SEC is a disappointing 1–6.

Athletic director Hunter Yurachek announced Sunday afternoon that head coach Sam Pittman is returning for the 2024 season. Standing by the coach is an important vote of confidence and the players were excited about the news, according to Yurachek. 

However, many Arkansas fans didn’t respond with the same enthusiasm. Check out some of the responses to the AD’s announcement. 

Arkansas would have owed Pittman, 61, a $16 million buyout if he was fired at the end of this season. (That may not look like much in comparison to what Texas A&M paid to dismiss Jimbo Fisher, but it’s a significant sum for nearly every other program.) Last year, the coach agreed to a new contract paying him more than $6 million per year that extended through 2026. 

During his four seasons in Fayetteville, Pittman has compiled a 23–24 record which includes bowl berths in 2021 and ’22. 

Offensive coordinator Dan Enos was fired after a 7–3 loss to Mississippi State in Week 8 and the team responded with a win at Florida two weeks later. However, the Razorbacks haven’t progressed as most fans hoped they would after Pittman replaced Chad Morris in 2020, and took a step back this season.

Arkansas hosts No. 10 Missouri (9–2) this coming Friday for its final game of the season.

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