"It’s frustrating": Arkansas HC Sam Pittman reveals tough phase during a serious hip surgery after 2024

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has given an update on his health after undergoing hip surgery following the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Pittman, who is still recovering from the surgery, told reporters on Thursday:

"It’s frustrating when you can’t do what you want to do. I mean, it’s frustrating. And guys, to be honest with you, coaching, getting off a cart, it’s not the same as being right next to (the players on the sideline). It’s just not. So, yeah, I feel good. ... I wouldn’t feel as good if I didn’t feel as good about the team. I feel really good because I feel good about the team.”

The concerns about Pittman's health started during the 2024 season, when he walked with a noticeable limp.

He was even forced to coach the Razorbacks game against the Missouri Tigers from a box away from the sidelines. Pittman did this because of the potential risk of an uneven ground caused by poor weather, not because of a sudden deterioration in his condition.

The surgery was something that Pittman and Arkansas had known about for the entirety of the 2024 season, but he was able to coach the Razorbacks to a six-win season in the SEC. This included a win over the then-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, a team that went on to make the College Football Playoff.

What does Sam Pittman think of the Arkansas team this year?

Sam Pittman has also given an update on where he thinks the Arkansas roster is faring one month before the season begins. Pittman's comments were shared by On3's Grant Grubbs in an article on Saturday.

"I really do (feel good about depth). I think there’s a difference in what the public may know, what y’all may know at times, and what we know," Pittman said. "So, I really do like our depth. I think we’ve had more depth than I’ve had since I’ve been here. Therefore, when you have more depth, you have more competition. I really like this team.”

Pittman will want his team to improve on their six wins from last year.

However, there have been numerous predictions from the media in the buildup to the season that say that Arkansas is going to struggle and be one of the worst-performing teams in the SEC.

Sam Pittman will hope to prove them wrong.

About the author

Ben Tredinnick is a journalist who covers college football and college basketball at Sportskeeda who is currently studying for a masters in Data Science. His degree in Psychology has helped him gain an in-depth understanding of the minds of coaches.

Ben has been involved in sports writing since 2022 and covered the NFL previously. His strengths include providing in-depth profiles of athletes and coaches, with a particular focus on development, and looking at which teams could be in the hunt for today's college stars.

Ben enjoys following college sports more than the NBA or NFL because there is more variation in terms of playstyles. The tournaments are often more competitive than the major leagues, and due to the constant turnover of players, there are rarely any "superteams" in college sports.

He prioritizes research, looks at multiple sources and publications to make sure he gets the full picture of the story before writing. He tries not to write from a one-sided perspective to allow the reader to be able to make their mind up on their own.

A Texas Longhorns fan, as well as a massive New York Giants fan, some of his favorite college players of all time are Arch Manning, Tim Tebow and Reggie Bush.

When he is not working, Ben enjoys watching films (especially Godzilla) and spending time with his cat.

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Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos