Sam Pittman explains why he wanted non-compete clause in Arkansas contract

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said he planned to retire after he coaches the Hogs and he meant it, putting his money where his mouth is by signing a contract that includes a non-compete clause.

Pittman explained that the idea to have the non-compete clause came about after he told ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt during the 2020 season that it would be his last job.

“This is it for me,” Pittman said that October. “I’m not interested in any other program. Arkansas is truly the greatest program in America to me. We’re home, and this is where we want to be. This will be my last job.”

After signing his contract extension that could keep him in Fayetteville through 2027, Pittman described the benefits he sees with the clause.

“Well, the non-compete, basically how it came was I shot my mouth off on Scott Van Pelt-ESPN and then I was told, ‘you shot your mouth off, so you might as well sign it in there,” Pittman said. “Then once I got to thinking about it, I thought this could help us in recruiting because you know we’re one of eight programs of 130 that have the head coach and the coordinators coming back for year three.

“The transfer portal’s been around for a long time for coaches and I thought we could sell some stability, that’s why I wanted it in the contract and I told the people of Arkansas that this would be my last job. I wanted a piece of paper to confirm what my mouth said.”

Pittman signs new deal with Arkansas

Last week, Arkansas Razorbacks athletics director Hunter Yurachek announced that the program inked a new contract for the former Georgia offensive line coach.

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.

The 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.