Sam Pittman updates where his health stands entering 2025 after hip surgery

Sam Pittman underwent successful hip surgery following the conclusion of Arkansas‘ 2024 regular season. He had a noticeable limp during the season and despite knowing he needed the procedure, elected to wait until after the season to go under the knife.

Pittman, 63, is still in recovery from the hip surgery but feels rejuvenated heading into the upcoming season. He updated where his health stands at the start of fall camp this week.

“It’s frustrating when you can’t do what you want to do. I mean, it’s frustrating,” Pittman told reporters on Thursday. “And guys, to be honest with you coaching getting off a cart, it’s not the same as being right next to (the players on the sideline). It’s just not. So yeah, I feel good. I feel good — I wouldn’t feel as good if I didn’t feel as good about the team. I feel really good because I feel good about the team.”

Despite the timing of the surgery, Pittman was still able to coach in the Liberty Bowl to finish Arkansas’ season. They would eventually defeat Texas Tech 39-26 in the matchup on Dec. 27.

Pittman was forced to coach the Missouri game last year from the boxes, which in a bad weather environment it was speculated that he wanted to be more sure of his footing. That came despite knowing since prior to the start of the season that he was going to need the surgery.

Despite needing surgery for all of last fall, Pittman still coached the Razorbacks to a six-win regular season — good enough to qualify for a bowl game after missing out on the postseason in 2023 after a four-win finish.

Pittman has been in the coaching industry since the mid-80s. Still, he has no reason to slow down at this point in his career.

“I’ve got plenty of time. (AD Hunter Yurachek) gives me time off — spring break. Get a few weeks, or two off in the summer,” Pittman said. “I got plenty of time get down the lake, I’m gonna be the head coach right here and win a bunch of games.”

Arkansas will kick off the 2025 season against Alabama A&M on Aug. 30. Their first real test of the season will come in Week 3 against Ole Miss on the road. The Razorbacks will have several matchups to prove their worth this fall, including matchups vs. Notre Dame, at Tennessee, vs. Texas A&M, at LSU and at Texas.