Arkansas' Pittman knows he's on hot seat ahead of Year 5

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman is well aware that he's entering the 2024 season firmly on the hot seat.

"I'm popular now, just the wrong way. I'm hot," Pittman said Thursday at SEC media days, according to CBS Sports' Chris Hummer.

Pittman added, "If you want to be patted on the back, you're going to get punched in the gut. And what's fair is fair. To be honest with you, the only one that can really control the hot seat is me and what we do with our football team."

Arkansas is 23-28 in four years under Pittman and is coming off a 4-8 season, which included going 1-7 against SEC opponents. It's an abrupt turn for the 62-year-old coach who led the Razorbacks to a 9-4 record in 2021 and was a finalist for national coach of the year honors after the season. Athletic director Hunter Yurachek had awarded Pittman with a contract extension in June 2022.

The Razorbacks coach highlighted consistency, better game-planning, and the ability to run the ball as the keys to a turnaround for the program this season.

Perhaps the biggest move this offseason was his decision to hire former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino as the team's new offensive coordinator. The 63-year-old led the Razorbacks from 2008-11 but was fired by the program after a scandal involving an extramarital affair and a motorcycle crash.

Petrino bounced around different programs, including serving as an assistant under Jimbo Fisher last season at Texas A&M. Pittman called Petrino his "security blanket" and a successful coach he can lean on as a sounding board.

The Razorbacks finished 116th in the nation in yards per play (4.93) and surrendered 47 sacks in 2023.

Arkansas brought in 22 transfers following the departures of KJ Jefferson and Raheim Sanders this offseason. Former Boise State quarterback Taylen Green is projected to be a significant contributor if the Razorbacks are to reverse their fortunes.

Arkansas will kick off its new season against UAPB on Aug. 29.