It's not just the Arkansas summer raising the temperature in Fayetteville. Sam Pittman is heading to his sixth season on the Hill on the hot seat yet again after going 7-6 last season. However, where he lands on CBS Sports' hot seat rankings might surprise some.
Pittman's tied for the fifth-hottest seat heading into the 2025-26 season. Arizona's Brent Brennan and SEC peer Hugh Freeze at Auburn join Pittman at No. 5, according to CBS Sports' list published on Friday.
The hot seat has become a position Pittman is accustomed to, following a disappointing finish in 2022. Arkansas had an outstanding transfer class that season, but the Hogs fell short, barely making a bowl game. Somehow, Pittman survived a 4-8 disaster in 2023 and earned at least one more season with another 7-6 performance in 2024.
One of the four coaches ranked above Pittman is Mike Gundy, who has coached Oklahoma State for 21 seasons. Oklahoma State had its worst season since 2000 with a 3-9 record, which includes a win over Arkansas. Another Sooner State coach finds himself on the list. Oklahoma's coach Brent Venables is No. 2, while Trent Dilfer at UAB—another Razorback 2024 opponent—comes in at No. 3 with a 7-17 record in his first two seasons. At No. 1 a third Arkansas opponent from last season, Sonny Cumbie at Louisiana Tech.
Arkansas begins its season in under 50 days, and every game will be viewed under a microscope. If Pittman wants to escape another hot seat threat as he's done in the last two seasons, it'll take his best season yet against one of the hardest schedules in the country.
CBS Sports college football hot seat rankings
1. Sonny Cumbie - LA Tech
2. Brent Venables - Oklahoma
3. Trent Dilfer - UAB
4. Mike Gundy - Oklahoma State
T5. Brent Brennan - Arizona
T5. Sam Pittman - Arkansas
T5. Hugh Freeze - Auburn
8. Brent Pry - Virginia Tech
9. Scott Satterfield - Cincinnati
10. Joe Moorhead - Akron
T11. Billy Napier - Florida
T11. Luke Fickell - Wisconsin
T13. Mark Carney - Kent State
T13. Mark Stoops - Kentucky