FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas announced Sunday it had relieved head coach Sam Pittman of his duties, promoting offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season.
“I want to thank Coach Pittman for his service and dedication to the University of Arkansas throughout his time as head coach,” athletics director Hunter Yurachek said in a statement. “From Day 1, you could tell how much this opportunity meant to him. At this time, however, I feel a change is necessary to put our student-athletes and program in the best position to be successful.”
Yurachek added that Arkansas will launch a national search for its next head coach and that Petrino “will be considered for the full-time job.”
Pittman’s dismissal comes just one day after a lopsided 56–13 loss at home to Notre Dame that dropped the Razorbacks to 2–3 on the season.
That defeat represented a low point in a year already marked by disappointment, following earlier losses at Ole Miss and Memphis.
Pittman finishes his Arkansas tenure with a 32–34 overall record, including a 14–29 mark in Southeastern Conference games.
In six seasons, he led the Razorbacks to multiple bowl appearances and three bowl victories. But those successes were not enough to quell mounting pressure amid inconsistent performance in SEC play.
Petrino returns to head coaching role
Petrino, 64, has been on staff at Arkansas as offensive coordinator since late 2023.
Before that, he served as Razorbacks head coach from 2008 to 2011, compiling a 34–17 record before being fired in the wake of a 2012 scandal involving a motorcycle accident and a relationship with a staff member.
He has also led Louisville, Western Kentucky, and Missouri State, and briefly coached in the NFL.
“I look back on it and there is no good answer,” Petrino said in 2012 when asked about the scandal. “I wasn’t thinking and I wasn’t acting correctly.”
His return raises both hope and skepticism among fans and observers.
Some media criticism has already surfaced, suggesting that Arkansas is “doubling down on desperation” by turning again to Petrino.
Yurachek confirmed Petrino is interested in being considered for the permanent role.
About the decision and the timing
Pittman becomes the fourth major conference coach fired so far this season, joining Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry, UCLA’s DeShaun Foster, and Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy.
Arkansas’ internal decision came swiftly following the Notre Dame game, leaving little time for deliberation.
Supporters of Pittman praised his personality, recruiting, and for steadying the program after turbulence under his predecessor, Chad Morris.
He became beloved by many fans for his folksy style and connection to players. Others felt the program had plateaued and that a change was overdue.
What’s next for Arkansas football
Arkansas has an off week before resuming SEC play at Tennessee on Oct. 11. The Razorbacks must use the time to stabilize their roster, unite under new leadership, and lay out a vision for the remaining seven games.
Observers will closely watch how Petrino handles a locker room adjusting to sudden upheaval, and whether he can re-engage recruits or stem any transfer defections. The national search for Arkansas’ next head coach will formally begin, with Petrino among the candidates—but the final decision is open.
For Pittman, this marks the end of a tenure with positive moments but ultimately unmet expectations in the SEC. For Arkansas, it is both a gamble and a reset.
Key takeaways
• Arkansas ends Pittman era midseason — Sam Pittman was dismissed after a 2–3 start and a 56–13 loss to Notre Dame.
• Petrino named interim, enters national search — Bobby Petrino, already on staff, now leads the program and is eligible for full-time hire.
• Tension between hope and legacy — Fans and media weigh optimism for offensive reinvigoration against Petrino’s troubled past and abrupt coaching change.