Pittman Salary Debunks Theory That Razorbacks Don’t Pay

Head coach in Top 20 for coaches' pay ... barely in latest comparison

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Oct 3, 2023 7:48 PM EDT
Original:
Oct 3, 2023

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The common theory that’s heavily promoted around these parts is Arkansas won’t pay their coaches. That statement is totally debunked now that the Razorbacks athletics department is paying Top 25 money for a head coach.

Whether you agree or not, Pittman is reeling in the dough this season. So much that he is the highest paid football coach Arkansas’ ever employed. The $6.357 million dollars he is making for 2023 slots him as the 22nd highest paid coach in America in a story at USA TODAY at the coaches' salary database.

Much of that has to do with the performance of Pittman’s 2021 team that was filled with sixth year seniors fighting for the state of Arkansas. Oh, and don’t forget they had a generational talent at receiver in Treylon Burks.

At the time, the Hogs were recovering from the Chad Morris and Bret Bielema eras. It was almost like coming off NCAA sanctions. Winning eight games in three seasons with poor recruiting results was a lot to handle for a coach who took over a program with no SEC victories in that time frame.

When Pittman led the Hogs to a nine-win season on 2021, the going rate for coaches with that level of success is higher than the $3 million he was making. Did he deserve the raise? Yes. However, things have changed a little with the current product played on the field.

Sure, Pittman is a lovable guy, but in a field where a job is under the microscope daily, a coach has to keep the winning up or the fanbase will turn in a heartbeat. "What have you done for us lately?’" is the general question.

Right now, the honeymoon stage is over and the thermostat is turning up thanks to a 2-3 start to the season. If the Hogs hope to recover, beating a red-hot Ole Miss team in Oxford would be a start.