Razorbacks Coach Sam Pittman Wasn't Waiting on Announcements

He was enjoying shortened Foreigner concert, then dodging weather

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Jul 15, 2023 4:51 PM EDT
Original:
Jul 15, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For Arkansas fans wondering what Sam Pittman was doing during commitment announcements Friday night, he wasn't sitting in his office or working den at his home watching.

He was out having a good time, probably getting a little wet and having a bad hair day when the storm landed square at the end of Foreigner's rushed concert performance at the Walmart AMP in Rogers on Friday night. The storm arrived a couple of hours earlier than predicted, and the opening act, Loverboy, never really made it on stage.

Pittman was down in the crowd with photos of him appearing acknowledging fans (he can't go anywhere without being recognized) and, quite honestly, there wasn't a whole lot he could have been doing watching verbal commitments that aren't binding on anything. So, as fans wondered who was on the other end of the line during the following exchange documented by allHogs.com associate editor Kent Smith, Pittman was on his cell phone while soaking in the concert atmosphere.

Russell has taken his phone out is going to call the coach to whom he will commit. He is on the phone with the coach and is being very careful to not reveal who he has called. "Hey coach! Coach I just want to thank you for giving me a chance and extending that offer and I want to accept it. Yes sir. Thank you. Yes sir. I really appreciate it. Yes sir. Yes sir."

Assuming they can land running back Braylen Russell and cornerback Selman Bridges when it comes time to officially sign this December, it will be a boost to the roster in 2024, at least for depth if it takes them a bit to have the experience to play in the SEC. But you can't make any plans for that roster, though, until at least December, which is the first date they can sign anything binding.

There wasn't a whole lot for Pittman to be doing. Being out in the thunderstorm that hit Rogers might not have been his preference, but he really didn't have a whole lot else to be doing. Assistant coaches are hired to keep track of the recruits. He may have answered a phone call, but quite frankly there was loud music going on and the winds were starting to pick up.

The commitment from Russell is the one that intrigues me, because my old friend Jim Gardner, who's been the Benton football on the airwaves for about a decade, told me he's the best-looking player from there he's ever seen., They didn't get to see much last year because of nagging injuries, but he broke out in the state playoffs against Greenwood rushing for some ridiculous yardage.

Remember Gardner said they didn't feel they saw everything because of the injury and rushed for 1,685 yards and 26 touchdowns with another 22 receptions for 224 yards and a score. He averaged 155.6 yards from scrimmage per game for a Benton team that went 9-3 and reached the Arkansas 6A state semifinals.

Pittman was definitely glad to land him, but he wasn't sitting waiting anxiously on the phone. He was enjoying the concert ... and probably dodging the weather.