Pittman refreshed, renewed heading into summer workouts

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is looking forward to a season in which big things are expected for the Hogs.

Summer conditioning time is upcoming for Arkansas football and the man who oversees the program is freshly minted.

Rather, he’s freshly minted with a new deal.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman met with the media earlier in the week for the first time since signing a contract extension that will keep him in Fayetteville through 2026.

“It was an honor that the school thought enough of me to give me a longer contract and, obviously, the financial benefit of that and things of that nature,” Pittman said during the press conference. “But it was probably a relief, but also very humbling and an honor that as long as we can keep winning and things that I could be the head coach at Arkansas for several years. And that was the goal of it.”

The Razorbacks are likely to be ranked in the preseason Top 25 when polls are released in August. The return of quarterback KJ Jefferson, safety Jalen Catalon and linebacker Bumper Pool provide a solid foundation. One of the biggest keys will be replacing Treylon Burks at wide receiving and revamping a defensive line that lost three starters.

Building experience and learning the college game is a priority in the offseason, Pittman said.

“We’re trying to teach the young guys,” Pittman said. “We think we have some talented guys that still came in. We certainly have to get a look at those guys. We can see them a bit more this summer with the new rule.”