Sam Pittman’s tenure at Arkansas football is being recognized for the positive impact he made during his time as head coach, regardless of the numbers. When Hunter Yurachek hired Pittman, it was largely due to his deep desire for the position, a stark contrast to many other candidates, especially following the Razorbacks’ rough patch with consecutive 2-10 seasons.
Pittman, along with interim head coach Barry Lunney Jr., was one of the few to genuinely pursue the job. While notable coaches such as Willie Fritz and Lane Kiffin showed interest, they often came with caveats, having spent time with Group of Five programs. Though Pittman’s overall record of 7-19 in closely contested games fell short of expectations, he significantly raised the profile of the program during his time, paving the way for more prominent coaching candidates now being considered for the position.
Veteran sportscaster Mike Irwin reported that at least two well-known coaches, Bobby Petrino and Dan Mullen, would be eager to take the Arkansas job without conditions. Unlike the previous search for head coach candidates from lower-tier programs, both Petrino and Mullen bring extensive SEC experience and proven track records of success to the table.
Petrino is a publicly acknowledged candidate, partly due to Yurachek’s preemptive announcement regarding Pittman’s firing. Meanwhile, Mullen’s name has surfaced through anonymous sources, resulting in an assertive denial last week where he affirmed, “I’m gonna be the head coach at UNLV next year. I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere.” Yet, history shows that definitive statements from coaches can often turn out differently.
Mullen’s interest in returning to the SEC, where he spent 17 consecutive seasons as either a head coach or coordinator, comes after a successful stint at UNLV. Irwin cited that Mullen, eager for the Arkansas opportunity, has indicated he would forgo typical demands like NIL guarantees or large salaries, preferring instead to build a competitive program.
With a career winning percentage of .641, Mullen has maintained positive records in 11 of his 14 seasons as a head coach. He began this season impressively at UNLV, leading them to their best start since 1974. Mullen’s exemplary coaching history includes notable achievements at Florida and Mississippi State, where he developed talented quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Tim Tebow, earning him the reputation of a “quarterback whisperer.”
Although some skepticism surrounds Mullen’s recruiting capabilities, his history at Mississippi State and Florida shows adeptness in attracting talent, evidenced by both programs’ average recruiting class rankings during his tenure. His struggles in that department at Florida may have stemmed from a strained relationship with boosters rather than any inherent flaws in his recruiting strategy.
In a climate of uncertainty surrounding the Arkansas athletics department, the prospect of hiring a seasoned coach like Mullen, who has openly expressed interest in the position, could provide a promising solution as the program looks for stability and success moving forward.