Arkansas Razorbacks ink new contract for head coach Sam Pittman

Arkansas Razorbacks athletics director Hunter Yurachek announced that the program has inked a new contract for head football coach Sam Pittman on Thursday.

The new five-year agreement began retroactively on January 1, 2022 and is effective through December 31, 2026. However, if Pittman reaches seven wins in any season going forward (including a bowl win versus a Power 5 or Top 25 opponent), the contract automatically adds another year, potentially keeping him in Fayetteville through 2027.

Terms of the new deal raise Pittman’s base salary to $5 million annually. It includes compensation escalators based on the number of wins per season and incentive bonuses based on postseason success.

Though Pittman’s initial deal with the Hogs was modest with a $3 million base, the new terms put his salary on par with Mike Leach, Lane Kiffin and other SEC head coaches.

Sam Pittman inks key deal to keep him in Fayetteville through retirement

“Coach Pittman and his staff have done a tremendous job quickly restoring the pride and belief in our football program,” Hunter Yurachek said in the news release. “There is no doubt, Coach Pittman has proven to be the right man to lead our football team. He has earned this opportunity with the success he and his staff have had on the field and on the recruiting trail. Last fall, we won four trophies, including one for our victory in the Outback Bowl, and enjoyed our best season in a decade, and I believe we’re just getting started. I look forward to continuing to work with Coach Pittman as we build our football program back to elite status.”

“Arkansas is where I want to be, this is my dream job,” Pittman said. “I am so grateful for our University and Hunter for believing in me, our coaches and staff and the program we’re building. We are all excited to continue to build on what we’ve done and continue to make our fans and the whole state of Arkansas proud of our football team.”

Given that the Razorbacks went 8-4 in the 2021 regular season and notched another win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl, things are looking good for Sam Pittman’s additional year in 2027.

The former Georgia offensive line coach took the Arkansas job at the program’s lowest point. He’s restored the program to top-25 status in two seasons. He’s shared many times that he intends to retire after coaching the Razorbacks and plans to live with his wife on Lake Hamilton in Arkansas.