Sam Pittman buyout: Details of Arkansas head coach's contract

If Arkansas decided to part ways with Sam Pittman on Oct. 1, the Razorbacks would owe their head coach roughly $9.8 million. Arkansas lost 56-13 to No. 22 Notre Dame at home on Saturday, following a loss at Memphis last week.

Pittman has one of the more unusual buyouts in college football. His contract states that if he’s .500 or above since 2021, the Razorbacks would owe him roughly $9.8 million, which is 75% of Pittman’s remaining salary. He’s currently 29-27 since 2021. If Arkansas finishes this season 4-8 or worse, the buyout would drop to $6.9 million, which is 50% of the head coach’s remaining salary.

Pittman would be paid his buyout in equal installments through the duration of his contract, which expires Dec. 31, 2027. Arkansas would pay Pittman roughly $376,923 a month through the 2027 season, if the Razorbacks fired their head coach on Oct. 1.

According to Pittman’s contract, the Arkansas head coach would be obligated to seek new employment if he were terminated. His future income would offset what Arkansas would owe in its buyout payments to Pittman.

Arkansas signed Pittman to a contract extension in 2022 following a 9-4 record in 2021, highlighted by a victory in the Outback Bowl. The Razorbacks knocked off Tennessee last season en route to a seven-win season following a 4-8 output in 2023. With the duo of quarterback Taylen Green and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino returning, hopes were high that Arkansas could take a step forward in the SEC this season.

But a close road loss at Ole Miss was followed up by an embarrassing loss at Memphis. The Razorbacks’ ugly home loss to Notre Dame makes Pittman’s future unclear. Arkansas is 32–33 overall in six seasons under Sam Pittman.