Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek dismissed head coach Sam Pittman on Sunday, ending his tenure after four seasons and a 32-34 overall record.
Pittman, who took over the Razorbacks in December 2019, was widely liked for his personable style but could not push the program into the Southeastern Conference’s top tier. The move came one day after a 56-13 loss to Notre Dame dropped Arkansas to 2-3.
Yurachek said offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who previously led the Hogs from 2008 to 2011, will serve as interim head coach.
“I want to thank coach Pittman for his service and dedication to the University of Arkansas throughout his time as head coach,” Yurachek said. “At this time, however, I feel a change is necessary to put our student-athletes and program in the best position to be successful.”
Arkansas makes midseason coaching change, begins national search
Pittman became the fourth Power Five coach fired this season, following recent dismissals at Virginia Tech, UCLA and Oklahoma State. Arkansas’ decision came during its bye week, ahead of an Oct. 11 road game against Tennessee.
Yurachek emphasized both gratitude and urgency.
“From Day 1, you could tell how much this opportunity meant to him,” he said of Pittman. “The goal for our football program is to be highly competitive within the Southeastern Conference and compete for a national championship.”
The school will immediately start a national coaching search, which will include Petrino.
“As we move forward in the process of finding our next head coach, I am certain we will be able to provide the necessary resources to our staff and team to reach our goals,” Yurachek said. “We will begin a national search for our next head coach immediately and that search will include Coach Petrino, who has expressed his desire to be a candidate for the full-time job.”
Petrino, rehired as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator in 2023, went 34-17 in his previous four-year stint, highlighted by back-to-back double-digit win seasons.
His first tenure ended in 2012 after a motorcycle accident and revelations of a relationship with a football staff member led to his dismissal.