FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A few weeks ago I wrote that if Arkansas coach Sam Pittman wants to do the right thing in continuing to move this program forward, then he needs to make himself a little uncomfortable and open things up more to the media and public.
He had just gotten a huge public relations win with a fan base that had soured on the program with his hiring of Bobby Petrinio, so the thought was to offer a bit of advice on how best to keep the ball rolling in the right direction to avoid actions of the past that would kill what he had going.
The two biggest suggestions were to (1) allow the media to see more of the practices than warm-ups this year so they can report back to fans about the quarterback battle along with how things are shaping up at several other key positions, and (2) for the Hogs to practice in the stadium in front of fans once per week.
It's spring practice. They're not getting ready to play LSU next week. It's about preparing players to execute in Razorback Stadium next fall. The best way to do that while building on increased positivity is to open things up.
Let the media see the quarterback, running back and linebacker battles unfold. Let them report back to the fans.
Then, once per week, invite the fans over to watch practice.
Well, despite some of my fellow media members openly scoffing at the idea, it seems Pittman saw a chance to seize on the opportunity to build more good will with the people of Arkansas. He recently took to Hogs Plus to announce he's going to follow through on the suggestion.
"On Saturday, we're going to open up to the public," Pittman said. "So when when we go Saturdays, you know, we don't, you know I don't know what the word is – let, allow – whatever it is, it's hard to say, parents to come to practices. But, on Saturday, we want all of them to come in that way they'll be able to come see their son do this, that and the other ... And I want to open it up get to get the fans in here. They'll enjoy seeing the team and all that. So we'll have at least three practices three Saturdays where the crowds of fans of Razorbacks can come watch us play."
Pittman even cited one of the benefits put forth for doing this. With so many new faces, many of whom haven't played in front of an SEC crowd, the idea was fans could come out and develop more of an attachment to these players and become familiar with them while simultaneously providing the chance to show how they perform in front of a crowd.
Considering how poorly the team played at home last season, it stands to reason that giving fans an experience in Razorback Stadium that will wipe away those bad memories is an opportunity that can't be wasted. That's how a coaching staff fully moves a fan base back into warm and fuzzy mode.
That's how you build a roaring fire from a small flame heading into the season. It's also a good way to see how players perform in front of Razorbacks fans.
Considering how poorly the team represented itself in home games last year, that's a valid point of measurement. Plus, after failing to show up in the regular season at Razorback Stadium last fall, this program owes its fans.
Pittman echoed that thought. He especially liked the idea of his quarterbacks trying to prove something in front of as big of a house as he can possibly bring in on Saturdays.
"But, I also want, my same theory, we don't have a quarterback that's played in front of a lot of people besides Taylen Green," Pittman said. "And I want to open it up get to get the fans in here."
It's a huge step for Pittman as a coach both in terms of growth and from a personal standpoint. He thrives on love and approval from the fan base.
The end of last season was tough on him. Toward the end he isolated himself from everyone and everything. Razorbacks fans were really rough on him and the boosters might have been even more harsh.
By making this decision, he's able to win over the mob. Pittman has finally figured out the wisdom behind this famous line from Gladiator.
"I think he knows what Rome is. Rome is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, it's the sand of the coliseum."
Simply strip out Rome and put Arkansas in there. If he can conjure the magic of Bobby Petrino and distract fans from the reality of what all happened at the end of last season by doing positive things such as open Saturdays during spring practice, then he's going to win the hearts of the people again.
The heart of Arkansas isn't in the capital in Little Rock. It's on the grass of Razorback Stadium. By continuing to make good decisions like this to go along with the positive choices made with his defensive coaching staff last year, Pittman can capture the hearts of the people once again.
It's one more positive PR step that makes it that much easier to go out and eat wherever he may like. It's also one more cushion to soften the harshness of the questions he would have faced from the media coming into spring practice.
It's getting warm and fuzzy in Arkansas again. How long it lasts depends on how many more good choices he makes between now and November.
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