With confirmation his job was not on the line, Sam Pittman took the microphone Monday with the assembled Arkansas press and answered questions.
None were about his job security for the first time in weeks.
Instead, a day after athletic director Hunter Yurachek gave his vote of confidence to Pittman, saying the fourth-year Arkansas head man would be the coach at least for a fifth season, the embattled coach could talk about what that confirmation felt like and, more in the immediate, what Missouri brings to the table.
Arkansas faces their rivals Friday in a game that won’t much change either team’s end-of-season fortunes. The Razorbacks cannot qualify for a bowl game and the Tigers can’t win the SEC East.
As cliched as it is to say the game is for pride, it’s unfair not to, too. Pittman earned his fifth year and a big showing from his team Friday would do wonders for confidence heading into next fall.
Check out what Pittman had to say at his presser below.