Will Arkansas fire Sam Pittman? His buyout makes the decision’s timing key for Razorbacks

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman has seemingly been on the hot seat for years, but it’s never been hotter than now, as the Razorbacks lost 56-13 at home to Notre Dame on Saturday.

But how much would it cost to fire Pittman? Well, it depends when it happens, according to a copy of Pittman’s contract obtained by The Athletic.

As part of an extension he signed before the 2022 season, Pittman’s buyout is 75 percent of his remaining compensation if his winning percentage since the beginning of the 2021 season is .500 or above. That would be roughly $9.8 million. If he has a losing record in that span, he would instead be owed 50 percent of the remaining money, which would be around $6.9 million.

Following the Notre Dame loss, Pittman’s record since 2021 is 29-27. In either scenario, the buyout would be paid in monthly installments for the remainder of the contract through 2027. (Pittman triggered a one-year extension by winning seven games last year.)

Pittman would also have “an affirmative duty to mitigate in good faith” by seeking and accepting comparable coaching employment after his dismissal — meaning, if he gets another coaching job, money from the new job would offset buyout money owed by Arkansas. That’s notable because the Razorback Foundation once stopped paying money to former head coach Bret Bielema, believing he took an artificially low salary with the New England Patriots to maximize his Arkansas buyout. The sides eventually settled a lawsuit.

Pittman underwent hip surgery last offseason, and speculation around whether he would retire had increased. Pittman told On3 earlier this year he was feeling better but that he didn’t know what his future would be after Arkansas.

“I have three years, and I always said that I wanted to coach through that obligation,” he said. “That’s what I want to do, after that, I don’t know.”

If Pittman does choose to retire, the sides could also negotiate a different amount of money owed to him.

(Photo: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images)