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Arkansas Fires Sam Pittman After Six Seasons, 32–34 Overall Record

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Ajayi Olamilekan | Last updated Sep 28, 2025 2:47 PM ET

Arkansas Fires Sam Pittman After Six Seasons, 32–34 Overall Record 10

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman, who had been at the job for six years, was fired today, one day after the Razorbacks lost a heartbreaking 56-13 home game to Notre Dame.

Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek announced the decision after what everybody thought was the low point of Pittman’s stay in Fayetteville. The 62-year-old coach finished 32-34 with him, including a disappointing 2-3 start to the 2025 season that raised questions about his job status.

Saturday’s loss at Razorback Stadium was the narrative told. Notre Dame QB CJ Carr completed four TD passes as his team accumulated 641 yards of total offense. The visitors posted 42 points in the first half alone and tacked on 28 straight points to finish off the game.

For a program which began the year with legitimate optimism following wins over Arkansas A&M and Arkansas State, the sudden fall was too much for the administration to overlook.

Pittman seat was already warm after a 4-8 season in 2023, but last season’s 6-6 regular-season effort gave him another opportunity. The former offensive line coach who helped construct Georgia’s dominant rushing attack had played some well during the first part of his Arkansas tenure.

His 2021 team finished 9-4 and claimed an Outback Bowl win against Penn State. The next year, the team had a decent 7-6 season and Liberty Bowl game. Moments of which now seem far-off.

Arkansas is firing coach Sam Pittman in the wake of a 2-3 start and blowout home loss to Notre Dame. He went 32-34 over six seasons. pic.twitter.com/seBzZDWqpd

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 28, 2025

Pittman himself admitted the wrath after the Notre Dame loss, explaining to reporters why the fans were enraged. The university confirmed today as ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the news of the dismissal on his X handle (previously Twitter). Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino will be the interim head coach until the end of the season, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Arkansas Football Is at a Crossroads After Pittman’s Sudden Departure

With Tennessee next week and road games at Texas A&M and Auburn at the corner, the schedule shows no glimmer of relief. Petrino, who was a head coach from 2008-2011, is again in a position he knows under different conditions.

His first stint ended in scandal after a motorcycle accident revealed an affair with an employee. At 63, Petrino will have to attempt to save what is left of a season that began with little hope.

Stability is what the program needs to succeed in the Southeastern Conference. Yurachek will have to navigate a buyout of which USA today reports will be around $5.7 million since Pittman’s record since 2021 dipped below .500 at 29-27.

The university desires that someone can hire effectively in addition to constructing an annual contender within the most challenging league of college football. Pittman’s resignation signifies the end of a generation that began well but eventually was not able to maintain momentum in college football’s famously grueling SEC West world.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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