Sam Pittman at SEC Media Days 2024: 3 interesting things Arkansas HC said at Dallas event
Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman spoke at SEC Media Days 2024 on Thursday, addressing the media for the first time ahead of the upcoming season. Pittman is entering his fifth season as the Razorbacks head coach after finishing 4-8 last season.
This season will be pivotal for Pittman to prove he can lead Arkansas for many more seasons by putting together a winning squad.
Here are three interesting things that Pittman said during his time at SEC Media Days 2024 in Dallas, TX.
3 interesting things Sam Pittman said at SEC Media Days 2024
#1. Steve Sarkisian is 'probably right' about Arkansas fans
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian took the podium at SEC Media Days 2024 on Wednesday and spoke about the program's move from the Big 12 to the SEC this year. The move to the SEC will reignite the Longhorns' rivalries with teams like Texas A&M and Arkansas.
When speaking about Texas' renewed rivalry with the Razorbacks, Sarkisian took a shot at the Hogs.
"They hate Texas more than they like themselves," Sarkisian said (via secsports.com).
When Pittman took the stage on Thursday, he was asked about the comments made by Sarkisian.
"I will say this: We hadn't played Texas for years and we played them a couple years back," Pittman said. "It was the most excited our fan base has been in a while. So I would say he's probably right, you know."
The Razorbacks will host the Longhorns on Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. ET.
#2. The improved offensive line
Arkansas' offense ranked 69th in the country last season with 26.6 points per game. They averaged a respectable 326.5 yards of total offense, but the offensive line was the weak link of their offensive unit, allowing the sixth-most sacks in college football.
Pittman spoke during SEC Media Days 2024 about his expectations for the offensive line, which will feature multiple returning starters along with four transfer portal acquisitions.
"On offense, we have a lot to improve on," Pittman said. "We think we addressed that in the portal with four offensive lineman and three portal running backs. Obviously went out and got a quarterback as well. Our wide receiver group is returning.
"But I think the most improved part of our football team this spring was our offensive line. I'm excited about that group."
Pittman was considered one of the top offensive line coaches in the country when Arkansas hired him as their HC. With his background coaching the offensive line, poor play from that unit isn't acceptable, and Pittman expects it to be much improved this season.
#3. Optimism about the future
Sam Pittman can be considered one of the coaches in the SEC who finds himself in the hot seat ahead of the 2024 season. But he doesn't seem worried about his job status, expressing his belief in the quality of his team this season at SEC Media Days 2024.
“I don’t (feel pressure),” Pittman said. “I think part of it is we have a good football team.”
"You know, we went from 4-20 to 9-4. We sure as hell can go from 4-8 to 9-4, 10-3. We can. We've got a good football team."
The program seemed to be turning around since Arkansas went from 3-7 in Pittman's first season to 9-4 in his second. But the Razorbacks have been in a surprising downward trend over the last two seasons, putting Pittman firmly on the hot seat this year.
What do you think was the most interesting thing that Sam Pittman said at SEC Media Days 2024? Let us know in the comments.