By Anna Mason

As the school nights start to shorten and the leaves cast an array of colors over the carved out sidewalks, the University of Arkansas campus showcases the growing anticipation of football season with vibrant reds, creative buttons and calling the hogs. Football at the University of Arkansas is a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from beating the then fourth team in the SEC, Tennessee, last season and rushing the field to the heartbreaks of close games and staggering scoreboards. 

Sam Pittman was hired as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks at the end of 2019 after the firing of Chad Morris. The 2021-2022 school year was a remarkable year for Pittman, with a record of 9-4 and taking home the win at the Outback Bowl; however, from 2022-2025, the coaching started to suffer in reflection of poor defensive lines, a lack of a tight-knit team and continual loss. 

Lucy Kramer, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, criticized Coach Pittman’s coaching style. 

“I just think that he didn’t lead the defensive lineman very well. I feel like our offence was great – we could like . . . conquer. But then, our defence always fumbled, and then [the other team] would just destroy us every game.” 

Our defensive line was really put to the test, and ultimately lost on that green field when the Razorbacks played against Notre Dame on September 27th. Coming off two major losses (close ones at that, too) against Ole Miss and Memphis, the campus was alive with anticipation and murmurs of hopeful wishes of winning against Notre Dame, which is a non-SEC school. Being a home game, too, turned Fayetteville into a frenzy of red, white, and black. Music through the tailgating tents could be heard all the way on the other side of campus, as if this would bring good luck.

However, as the game proceeded, hope was dwindling and eventually smushed as the final score pixilated the numbers 56-13 onto the jumbotron. Almost the entirety of the student section, and most of the regular seats, were vacant, leaving only crumpled-up candy wrappers and despair. This is not the first time Razorback fans have been disheartened by their favorite college team, but it definitely stung worse than others. 

“I think [Pittman] had a long time to get the results we wanted, and it still felt like we stayed at the same level. I think a new coach was needed.” Lily Weis, a junior at the University of Arkansas, responds, addressing the Notre Dame game and the ultimate firing of head coach Sam Pittman. 

On the same topic, U of A sophomore Josh Brunson opines that firing Pittman mid-season “was not right.” He elaborates on this: “I think it would have been better if he retired. I think [Arkansas] should’ve waited until the end of the year.” 

Sam Pittman “was a good guy,” according to Kramer, and “he seemed like he cared [for the team].” It was ultimately his coaching style, which is the most important aspect of leading a football team to success. 

As the season wanes on and temperatures start to drop, football starts to shift towards the playoffs. Hopefully, with interim coach Bobby Petrino, whom Weis, Kramer, and Brunson believe to be a good choice for the rest of the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks seem to be on the up. 

Brunon notes that a previous game on October 11 against Tennessee “was better in terms of points.” He also notes that Petrino “could turn this team around. I am just excited for a new coach.”