re: *OFFICIAL 2023-24 ARKANSAS RAZORBACK FOOTBALL SEASON THREAD*

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SAM PITTMAN, ARKANSAS (HOT SEAT SCALE: 4.5)

2023 record: 2-6
Overall record: 21-23
Buyout: It's complicated, keep reading
Hot seat scale: 4.5

Sam Pittman made a mistake in hiring Dan Enos as offensive coordinator. The Razorbacks' offense has been an utter disaster, ranking 120th in total offense and also failing to score a touchdown in the lowest-scoring SEC game in 15 years. Enos was fired after eight games — he'll be paid an additional $2.8 million thanks to a fully-guaranteed, three-year contract -- and now Pittman's seat is heating up. The Hogs have lost six straight games and are 2-9 in their last 11 against Power Five opponents. Arkansas has not quite fallen to levels of Chad Morris but the Hogs are striking familiar notes. Arkansas fans are acutely aware of the slippery slope that could be on the horizon, so you can understand why some boosters wonder if Pittman is the long-term solution. The Hogs have won only 24.2% of their SEC games since Bobby Petrino was fired in the spring of 2012, and Pittman owns nearly half of those wins (10).

Pittman's contract provides Arkansas a cheaper buyout, but only if the Hogs fail to win another game this season. Pittman would be owed about $18 million if fired after this season, but if his career record falls below .500 (COVID season not included), the buyout drops to about $12 million, according to his contract. The good news for Pittman: he only needs to win one more game to keep his career mark above sea level. Simply put, Pittman can not afford a loss to FIU on Nov. 18.

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