Without question, the time to fire Sam Pittman is now. The Arkansas Razorbacks have a 3-7 overall record and 1-6 SEC record. Such an awful overall and SEC record warrants firing Pittman.
In a tweet to Hunter Yurachek, the Razorbacks’ athletic director, I expressed my wish for him to fire Pittman no later than today, November 12, 2023. Here’s exactly what I said.
Pittman’s commitment to his players, staff, the state and the university is authentic, and I appreciate such a sincere and beautiful commitment. Character does matter. He’s not, however, at the Vatican; he’s in Fayetteville, Arkansas, serving as the head football coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, where he’s expected to produce a nationally competitive team each season.
Fire Sam Pittman
Hunter Yurachek cannot let his great relationship with Pittman interfere with a necessary business decision: to fire Sam Pittman. Pittman knows it is an honor for him to have been the head coach in the first place. Had not Arkansas hired Pittman, he likely wouldn’t have been a head coach anywhere else.
Given this, Pittman could make this decision easier on everyone by resigning immediately. However, considering he is represented by a shrewd lawyer, Jimmy Sexton, it’s unrealistic to anticipate his resignation. When Hunter Yurachek decides to fire Sam Pittman, the Arkansas Razorbacks will lose money, but it will be worth it.
Related: Arkansas Razorbacks Secured Julius Pope for 2024 and Breaking: Oklahoma and Texas Make a $100 Million Move to SEC 2024
Dan Enos Destroyed the Arkansas Razorbacks Offense
The worst decision that Sam Pittman has made in his tenure as head coach at Arkansas is hiring Dan Enos. Under former offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, now the offensive coordinator and associate head coach at Texas Christian University, Arkansas had one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. Briles accomplished such amazing offensive feats with less talent than Arkansas currently has. In contrast, the Arkansas offense was embarrassing under Dan Enos’ leadership, especially for an SEC team.
In his final game at Arkansas, Enos’ offense generated only three points in a 7-3 loss to Mississippi State University. Such a humiliating offensive performance finally compelled Pittman to remove Enos. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done.
Although many fans like to blame Enos solely for how atrocious the Razorbacks’ offense was under his leadership, and he technically and honestly deserves most of the blame, Pittman permitted him to stay. As the head coach, Pittman is ultimately responsible for letting Enos perform poorly for so long. Hunter Yurachek should’ve decided to fire Sam Pittman at the same time Pittman let Enos go.
Cody Kennedy’s Abysmal Offensive Line Coaching
Before the current season started, I argued that the Arkansas offensive line must improve in 2023 for the team to experience success. Unfortunately, the Arkansas offensive line dramatically regressed from last season. Ironically, Cody Kennedy, the Arkansas offensive line coach, has continued to receive significant support from Pittman.
As a result of Pittman’s failure to terminate Cody Kennedy, K.J. Jefferson’s body has had to suffer the consequences each game. He has had to run for his life all season because he has played behind an offensive line that has refused to block for him and an offensive line lacking an effective offensive line coach. Sam Pittman is supposed to be an offensive line genius, but, as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, he has not employed his skills and knowledge to address the offensive line’s failings.
Don’t delay the inevitable; fire Sam Pittman today. Hunter Yurachek can start the coaching search early by deciding to fire Sam Pittman today. Available coaches and those willing to leave their current coaching position need to know the Arkansas Razorbacks are serious about moving in a much better direction.
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