After Blowout Loss, Arkansas Moves On from Sam Pittman

As expected, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman was dismissed less than 24 hours after Saturday’s lopsided 56–13 loss to Notre Dame in Fayetteville. The decision came after three consecutive losses this season, with athletic director Hunter Yurachek and the Board of Trustees choosing to part ways with Pittman.

Yurachek recognized Pittman’s dedication and service during his tenure but said a change was necessary to put the student-athletes and program in the strongest position to succeed.

The Razorbacks began the season 2–3, despite Pittman’s pre-season claim that this was one of his stronger teams. Arkansas endured back-to-back close road defeats at Ole Miss, 41–35, and at Memphis, 32–31, both decided by late fumbles while driving in scoring position. The Notre Dame game, the program’s only home contest in Fayetteville in September, marked a new low, as frustrated fans who had contributed to record attendance at kickoff walked out by halftime.

Pittman’s Legacy in Fayetteville

Sam Pittman earned respect from players and colleagues, who viewed him as a steady, loyal presence. His firing has drawn mixed reactions, reflecting the contrast between his reputation and the inconsistent results on the field.

In his first season in 2020, Arkansas went 3–7 in SEC play. The program surged in 2021, finishing 9–4 overall with a 4–4 record in conference games, marking the team’s best performance under Pittman. Arkansas then posted 7–6 records in both 2022 and 2024, each with a 3–5 SEC mark. In 2023, the team slipped to 4–8 overall with just one conference win. Entering 2025, the Razorbacks stood at 2–2 overall and 0–1 in the SEC before Pittman’s dismissal.

Across six seasons, Pittman finished 32–33 overall and 14–29 in SEC play, though he went 3–0 in bowl games. After the 9–4 campaign in 2021, which ended with Arkansas ranked 21st in the AP Poll, the program went 20–22 and has not returned to the rankings since 2022.

A defining part of Pittman’s legacy was Arkansas’ struggles in tight games. The Razorbacks went just 7–19 in one-score contests under his leadership, the most such losses in the SEC since 2020. Known for playing up or down to their opponents, Pittman’s teams led the nation in one-score defeats during this period.

Home games also proved challenging. Since defeating Tennessee 19–14 on October 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks suffered blowout losses to LSU (34–10), Ole Miss (63–31), Texas (20–10), and Notre Dame. Other notable defeats included Auburn (48–10) and Missouri (48–14) in 2023. Perhaps the most disappointing moment came when Arkansas fell 7–3 at home to Mississippi State, which recorded its only SEC victory of the season.

Bobby Petrino Steps In as Interim

Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has been named interim head coach, a move announced Sunday afternoon via a school press release. Petrino, who joined the staff in 2024, helped transform the Razorbacks’ offense into one of the most productive in program history.

That season, Arkansas posted 5,973 yards of total offense, the fourth-highest single-season mark in school history. The team also ranked in the top five in rushing touchdowns (34), total offense per game (459.5 yards), passing first downs (150), passing yards (3,571), and passing yards per game (274.7).

Petrino, widely regarded as one of football’s top offensive minds, previously served as head coach at Louisville, Western Kentucky, Missouri State, the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL, and Arkansas from 2008 to 2011. During his first stint at Arkansas, he compiled a 34–17 record and led the Razorbacks to back-to-back 10-win seasons.

His tenure ended abruptly in April 2011 after a motorcycle accident exposed an affair with a staff member, leading to his dismissal by then-athletic director Jeff Long. Petrino later coached at Western Kentucky, returned to Louisville where he guided Lamar Jackson to a Heisman Trophy, and led Missouri State to an 8–4 record in 2021. Prior to joining Sam Pittman’s staff, he served as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M in 2023.

Searching for a Permanent Successor

Arkansas has launched a national search for a permanent head coach. Interim coach Bobby Petrino, who has a strong record, has expressed interest in the full-time position, but the program is exploring a wide range of options. The pool of potential candidates is both deep and diverse.

Rhett Lashlee of SMU leads the list. An Arkansas native and former Razorbacks quarterback, Lashlee has the backing of major boosters, including Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. He is 31–14 at SMU and guided the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff last season. Another prominent candidate is Eric Morris of North Texas, who is off to a 5–0 start in 2025 and holds a 40–32 overall record as a head coach. The 39-year-old has earned recognition for his talent evaluation, having previously discovered Cam Ward and advocated early for Baker Mayfield.

Ryan Silverfield of Memphis, whose Tigers defeated Arkansas earlier this month, is also under consideration. Texas State’s GJ Kinne, a 36-year-old protégé of Gus Malzahn, and Jon Sumrall of Tulane, known for his rapid turnaround at Troy and now leading Tulane, are among the candidates being closely evaluated. Jeff Traylor of UTSA, who has never had a losing season, is also in the mix.

Other notable names include Deion Sanders of Colorado and Gus Malzahn, currently Florida State’s offensive coordinator and formerly head coach at UCF and Auburn. Both coaches are being carefully monitored as the Razorbacks explore their next head coach.

With Bobby Petrino serving as interim head coach and a wide array of candidates under consideration, Arkansas’ next chapter in football will be closely watched. Razorbacks leadership has made it clear that their goal is to compete at the highest level in the Southeastern Conference and contend for a national championship, making the selection of the right head coach crucial.