Paul Finebaum: Sam Pittman is in a lot of trouble at Arkansas
Paul Finebaum isn’t happy about it, but Sam Pittman is on the hot seat. During an appearance on “The Matt Barries Show,” Finebaum weighed in on the Arkansas‘ head coach relationship with the program.
“He has to be in a lot of trouble,” Finebaum said. “I say that reluctantly. If you know Sam Pittman, you genuinely love this guy. Some coaches you like, you respect. He’s the guy you want next door. He would do anything for you. But, this is his fourth season. He had a transition year. He had a really good year. Last year was a mess. This year is a disaster.”
Disaster doesn’t begin to describe the 2023 campaign. After beginning the season 2-0, Arkansas has lost six straight games. The Razorbacks reached a new low this weekend, falling to Mississippi State 7-3.
Arkansas’ offense was catastrophic in the defeat, recording 200 total yards while committing two turnovers. The performance was enough to warrant Pittman to fire offensive coordinator Dan Enos.
“Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman has relieved offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dan Enos of his duties and he is no longer a member of the Razorbacks’ program effective immediately. Wide receivers coach and former Ohio State quarterback Kenny Guiton will take over play calling duties for the Hogs for the remainder of the season,” Arkansas’ press release said.
Heartbreak at home for Sam Pittman
Although the decision will relieve some pressure off the Razorbacks’ coaching staff, fans can only suffer so much before they look to the top. Finebaum believes the fact that Arkansas’ abysmal performance came at home made the situation even worse for Pittman.
“[Athletic director] Hunter Yurachek, very respected, went out on a limb last week and said, ‘OK, we’re home now. We’ve been on the road for however many weeks,'” Finebaum recalled. “That was as must a win as I’ve ever seen a program.
“You lose to a program that essentially has an interim coach that comes in for Mike Leach and has done nothing, with a backup quarterback who transferred from Vanderbilt, and that’s all you can do? You have to start to blame that on coaching. I know I’ve given you a long answer because it upsets me to answer it. It’s hard to imagine what Sam Pittman has left to to argue in relation to his seizure.”
Arkansas will have a lot to figure out during its bye week. The Razorbacks will resume action on Nov. 4 against the Florida Gators.