Arkansas Football: Why is it taking so long to extend contract of Sam Pittman?

Arkansas football head coach Sam Pittman has been waiting. And waiting. And probably wondering why it’s taking so long to get a new contract secured after hiring a new agent. 

Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek just received a new contract, according to multiple reports.

Yurachek is receiving a $400,000 raise, which brings his compensation to $1.25 million per year through 2027, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. 

Arkansas Basketball Coach Eric Musselman, Arkansas Baseball Coach Dave Van Horn join Yuracheck as prominent Arkansas athletic heads who have gotten raises and extensions within the past year.

It’s time to get Arkansas Football Coach Sam Pittman’s contract extension done

As KATV’s Steve Sullivan pointed out, the longer the contract negotiations are drawn out, the chances increase that things will start to get frustrating. We don’t need a distraction once the season gets here.

The Arkansas Athletic Department owes it to the fans to get this deal done with Pittman, give him a well-deserved raise and show that he’s going to be the Head Ball Coach here until he’s ready to retire to that lake house he’s always dreamed about.

Sam Pittman, who at one point was one of the least-compensated coaches in the SEC, deserves a pay raise and some added job security for all that he’s accomplished and for the momentum he’s sustained in the offseason.

Pittman has been hitting the recruiting trail and preparing for an important 2022 football season. The Razorbacks will kick-off their season when they host the Cincinnati Bearcats— a team that made it to the College Football Playoff Semi-Final, but will look radically different thanks to a slew of departures to the 2022 NFL Draft.

The first practice of the new season is set for March 13, 2022. Fans will get an opportunity to see the team at the April 16 open practice.