Sam Pittman is the wrong person to blame for the issues, despite the fact that many members of the Arkansas fan base on the Lunatic Fringe are doing so.
The coach of the Razorbacks didn’t create the entire blame situation, and he certainly doesn’t appreciate it.
What Pittman failed to disclose during his news conference last Thursday might be beginning to come to light. In light of recent events, the picture might be starting to take shape. Braylen Russell made yet another announcement on Sunday night, announcing that he would be returning to the transfer portal.
No, Sam told the reporters a falsehood. As he stated, the Razorbacks are financially secure. He might not have stated it, but it appears that some of the other teams the Hogs play against next season might have more. He most likely doesn’t know the answer, and no one really thought to ask that question.
It began to clear up after defensive back Jaylon Braxton, tight end Luke Hasz, and offensive lineman Patrick Kutas announced their plans to join Ole Miss.
Particularly when a few of them postponed trips to other locations.
If the story that was released is true, then all of the turmoil surrounding running back Russell is highlighting the issue. Some people claim Pittman sounded like a car salesperson trying to find a way to get the money to match an offer from the Rebels, suggesting that it may all be about the money.
Like the college football culture we live in today, it is useless to go into precise figures without some kind of documentation. No information has been released on his current whereabouts.
Don’t hold Sam responsible. When athletics director Hunter Yurachek hired him in December 2019, he had spent decades learning ideas he was prepared to put into practice. They had no idea what was coming their way in a few months, and neither of them was ready for it. No one was.
Everything has altered as a result of a worldwide pandemic and court rulings that have allowed for nearly unfettered free agency, which is not even witnessed in professional sports.
At the moment, you’re either a development school or competing for titles with players that other coaches first signed.
The people you were banking on for next season will suddenly be on the opposite side of the ball for at least one game, as Pittman is quickly learning. Following linebacker Brad Spence’s commitment to Texas, another player will be there with the Longhorns.
During the January and February workouts, everyone will introduce themselves. With athletes they have just met, coaches will be attempting to devise a spring practice schedule. Regarding their ability to function at the SEC level, some of those guys are purely speculative.
Pittman is currently making things seem good. These days, he truly has few options. The only true consolation he can find after these past three days is that he won’t have to spend a lot of time scouting at least three of the guys he will be facing in the third game of the upcoming season when they travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to play Ole Miss.
Pittman and the employees are presumably just praying that no one else they are depending on jumps in going somewhere else, as the portal is still open in both directions.
Don’t blame Pittman, though. He is limited to using the resources at his disposal, which are determined by decisions made by others over whom he has no authority.
