Pittman, Arkansas Still Building Despite SEC Passing Them

Razorback fans forced to sit through team figuring it out in year five of coaching staff

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman reacts during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas just lost to a coach in his first year at a program. A quarterback that had made two career starts going into the game and a playcaller in Colin Klein.

Klein is just in his first year doing that at the SEC level and just his third year being an offensive coordinator at any level. Along with Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and quarterback Marcel Reed they just highlight the lack of progress after five years for the Razorbacks.

The only coach who has stayed at Arkansas throughout his five years once again had issues getting the field goal unit on the field for the second straight season. It was a rough day for special teams coordinator Scott Fountain in a 21-17 loss to the Aggies.

Arkansas Razorbacks special teams coach Scott Fountain during a game against Mississippi State on Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. / Michael Morrison-allHOGS Images

A similar situation cost them an attempt last year against Mississippi State. A game the Razorbacks would go on to lose 7-3.

Arkansas comes up short on a third down run, making it 4th and 2 from the MSU 33. Pittman elects to send out the field goal unit.

Arkansas gets a delay of game to fall out of field goal range. Pittman elects to punt.

— Stefan Krajisnik (@skrajisnik3) October 21, 2023

The mistakes also continue to compound, Pittman then burned a valuable second-half timeout to call a fake field goal that failed spectacularly after already a successful fake punt earlier in the game.

Elko also isn't the only coach in the SEC that is slowly passing the Razorbacks by as the Hogs' continuously shoot themselves in the foot.

Eli Drinkwitz at Mizzou and Pittman were hired in the same season. After three average seasons, Mizzou entered the AP Poll in Week 5 of last year and has been ranked in the Top 25 ever since. He has also won three of the our head-to-head matchups with the Hogs, two of which were won by one-possession, Pittman's kryptonite. He is now 6-16 at Arkansas in game decided by eight points or less.

Missouri Tigers coach Eliah Drinkwitz reacts after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores in double overtime at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Razorbacks' next opponent, Tennessee, had a coaching change in 2021 after Jeremy Priutt was fired after an internal investigation found recruiting violations. Since Josh Heupel took over, the Volunteers have had three straight winning seasons and open as double-digit favorites over Arkansas despite the game being in Fayetteville.

It should be noted some of the factors are out of Pittman's control. He can't control the late start of a true NIL collective, or the fact that fan memberships did not have a $10 tier until last week. Most of the schools listed above hit the ground running when NIL took effect, Arkansas, like Sam Pittman, is taking its sweet time producing results.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel and Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) chat on the sidelines during a game between Tennessee and Kent State. / Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Pittman also inherited an awful situation, but the Chad Morris years are a thing of the past. Other than defensive lineman Eric Gregory and Hudson Clark, no other players have any ties to Pittman's predecessor. Fair or not, Pittman is the front man to a poorly executed operation, both on and off the field.

How fitting that the SEC home opener for the fans to see is against a Top-10 Tennessee team that has improved at warp speed, while Arkansas has slowly crawled its way to SEC obscurity. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday and will be broadcast on ABC.

HOGS FEED:

• History shows Hogs' mediocrity shouldn't be expectation

• Same story for Hogs under Pittman with another close loss

• Texas A&M rushing attack springs to life late to sink Arkansas

 • John Daly's Florida home destroyed by Hurricane Helene

• Hogs fans get chance to see QB they thought they were getting when UCF faces Colorado

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