Consistency Is Not Enough: Inside Sam Pittman’s Fifth Season at Arkansas
Sam Pittman has led Arkansas to four bowl games in five seasons, but the Razorbacks aim for more than consistency in 2025, integrating transfers and returning stars.
Since taking over in 2020, Sam Pittman has led Arkansas to four bowl appearances in five seasons, bringing steadiness to a program that had endured years of disappointment. In Fayetteville, though, steadiness no longer seems to be enough. His 30–31 record, marked by two losing seasons and two at an even 500, leaves him entering 2025 as one of the most closely watched coaches in college football.
Even with the scrutiny, Pittman leans on optimism. “We have a good football team,” he said. “We have a good staff. We have great facilities. We have a great state of fans at the University of Arkansas, the state of Arkansas. There is no reason we cannot do it.” For Pittman, the question now is not whether he can steady the program, but whether he can push it forward.
Building Confidence With New Faces
Much of Arkansas’ success will hinge on how quickly newcomers adapt. Quarterback Taylen Green, at 6-foot-6, offers a steady hand under center, but the Razorbacks are projected to start six offensive players who arrived through the transfer portal, including quarterback Trever Jackson.
“We’re trying to continue to build confidence in the quarterback with whomever,” Pittman said. “We’re adding into that, which is really going to help us and keep fresh guys on the field that have confidence, and it’s important we have confidence in them.”
Offense Under Bobby Petrino
The Razorbacks finished last season ranked second in the SEC and 10th nationally in total offense under first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Pittman believes the unit can go even higher with Petrino in his second year.
“As you go back and look statistically, when he’s in his second year somewhere, they usually take off,” Pittman said.
Green threw for 3,154 yards in 2024, fifth in the SEC, while also rushing for 602 yards, good for fourth among conference quarterbacks. The concern is efficiency. His passer rating ranked in the bottom quarter of SEC starters, and his 15-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio was one of the few in the league that failed to clear the two-to-one benchmark.
The receiving corps will undergo major change. Most of Green’s top targets from last season are gone, and six new wideouts are expected to step in. Tight end Rohan Jones, who sat out last year, should add another dimension.
“I believe we have a really good wide receiver core,” Pittman said. “We’re big, we’ve got length. And for the first time in a while we have two tight ends who can both catch the ball and help in the run game.”
Defensive Continuity Provides Stability
The defense returns with far fewer question marks. Eight starters are back, led by linebacker Xavian Sorey, who recorded 99 tackles last year. Defensive tackle Cam Ball, entering his third season as a starter, has already earned preseason third-team All-SEC honors.
A Grueling 2025 Schedule
The 2025 schedule may prove to be Pittman’s toughest test yet. Arkansas enters a demanding SEC stretch that includes road trips to No. 24 Tennessee, No. 9 LSU, and top-ranked Texas. The nonconference schedule offers little relief, beginning with a Week 4 visit to Memphis and followed by a home matchup against No. 6 Notre Dame. On September 6, the Razorbacks will also face Arkansas State in Little Rock, a contest that could mark their last appearance at historic War Memorial Stadium.
National media expectations remain modest, but the stakes are unmistakable for the program, the coaching staff, and the Razorback fan base.
