Kirby Smart coaching tree: Ranking every coach to come from Smart’s management
By John Buhler
Sam Pittman never gets the credit he deserves for making Arkansas respectable
Sam Pittman was the second branch to sprout off the Smart coaching tree. The longtime offensive line coach seemed destined to only be a position/assistant head coach in his career. Then, the right job at the right time at the right spot opened up. Pittman had sentimental attachments to Arkansas having coached there previously. What he has done in three years is absolutely amazing.
Pittman has gone 19-17 leading the Razorbacks. Keep in mind the Hogs were the worst team in the SEC by a country mile when he took over in 2020. After going 3-7 in his first season at the helm, Pittman led Arkansas to nine wins in 2021 and seven last year. It should be noted that the Razorbacks play in what has long been the toughest division in college football in the SEC West.
I don’t know if Pittman will ever have the Hogs playing in a New Year’s Six bowl like Tucker did at Michigan State, Dan Lanning will soon at Oregon and Beamer might at South Carolina. However, not all jobs are created equally. Pittman has embraced being the CEO-type of head coach to perfection. He has done a marvelous job in hiring coaches and getting his players to buy into him.
Yessir! The Boss Hog looks to be here to stay in the SEC for the foreseeable future at Arkansas.