Leadership change announced for Arkansas Football

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas has made a change in the leadership of the football program with the dismissal of Head Coach Sam Pittman by Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek.

Pittman was named the Razorbacks’ 34th head coach in December 2019 and was in his sixth season leading the Hogs in 2025. He was 32-34 overall while winning three bowl games in his tenure. Arkansas is 2-3 this season heading into the bye week before returning to action at Tennessee on Oct. 11.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has been appointed as the Hogs’ interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Petrino served as the Arkansas head coach from 2008-11 before returning last season as the team’s offensive coordinator.

“I want to thank Coach Pittman for his service and dedication to the University of Arkansas throughout his time as head coach,” Yurachek said. “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. The goal for our football program is to be highly competitive within the Southeastern Conference and compete for a national championship. As we move forward in the process of finding our next head coach, I am certain we will be able to provide the necessary resources to our staff and team to reach our goals. We will begin a national search for our next head coach immediately and that search will include Coach Petrino, who has expressed his desire to be a candidate for the full-time job.”