Sports

Bobby Petrino Lobbies For Sam Pittman’s Job As Arkansas Navigates Unique Buyout Clause 

#Arkansas Razorbacks
by
Bobby Petrino, Arkansas Razorbacks

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The Arkansas football team fell to Group of Five foe Memphis in Week 4 to move to 2-2 on the year. Calls for head coach Sam Pittman’s job have grown louder after the setback.

A replacement could very well be on staff should the Razorbacks make the move. One coach is reportedly positioning himself to take over.

Pittman’s tenure has been a bit up and down over the last six seasons. The team is 32-33 under the head coach’s leadership.

Arkansas has reached three bowl games, going 3-0 in those postseason matchups. They’ve also tallied a pair of losing campaigns. Pittman’s job security was debated prior to the start of the year. It’s now a major talking point following his latest loss.

Can Sam Pittman survive with Arkansas football?

He entered 2025 on the hot seat having gone 10-14 over his last two regular seasons. An improvement needed to be seen in order to win back support.

To this point, that’s not been seen. The Razorbacks blew a 28-10 lead in their most recent matchup with Memphis to fall 32-31.

Pittman has been plagued by close losses throughout his time in Fayetteville. He’s 7-19 in one-score contests, with an 0-2 record this year.

His teams have shown an ability to compete. The Hogs are in seemingly every game, no matter the competition. They’ve failed to close out wins. It’s put the school between a rock and a hard place.

Despite calls for Sam Pittman’s job, Arkansas has remained silent on his future. There are steps that would need to be taken in order to go through with his firing.

One relates to the buyout.

Pittman has a unique buyout clause in his contract.

The coach was extended after a 9-4 campaign in 2021. The Razorbacks negotiated potential buyout terms while agreeing to the new deal.

USA Today reports that Arkansas would owe Sam Pittman between $9 and $10 million if fired at this point in time. That represents 75% of the $12.375 million remaining on his contract.

If they allow the head coach to continue coaching, that number could drop drastically.

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek inserted a clause that reduces Pittman’s buyout to 50% of the money owed if his overall record — excluding the shortened season in 2020 — ever dipped below .500.

If Pittman’s overall record falls below .500 (dating back to 2021), his buyout drops to between $6 and $7 million, or 50% of his remaining $12.375 million, give or take.

If he stays above .500, it remains higher. He’s currently 29-26.

Arkansas’s upcoming schedule is a gauntlet. They’ll soon face Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Auburn in consecutive outings. There is a possibility Pittman’s record will be 29-30 after that four-game stretch.

If it happens, expect the Razorbacks to make moves.

Bobby Petrino is lobbying for support.

Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports says the former Arkansas head coach is positioning himself for another run in Fayetteville.

“There is a lot more push for, ‘Maybe Petrino should be the head coach,'” Marcello said. “I will tell you, from people I’ve spoken to, Bobby Petrino’s been working them phones, baby. He’s been talking a lot behind the scenes. He’s positioning himself to take over the Arkansas football program, at least on an interim basis.”

Petrino previously served as the Razorbacks’ head coach from 2008-2011 when he went 34-17. The marriage ended badly, but his success was evident. He’s currently the team’s offensive coordinator with hopes that a promotion is in store.

If Arkansas does decide to fire Sam Pittman, Petrino will get a look. He’s doing everything in his power to ensure he’s the first call.