What Arkansas football’s win over Mississippi State means for Sam Pittman’s buyout

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FAYETTEVILLE — A surprising turnaround season for the Arkansas football program has Sam Pittman's hot seat cooling with every victory, and Saturday's 58-25 win over Mississippi State gives Pittman some extra security with his buyout.

The Razorbacks head coach signed a contract extension in 2022 following a 9-4 record in 2021 that included a victory in the Outback Bowl. In that extension, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek inserted a clause that reduces Pittman's buyout to 50% of the money owed if he is fired without cause and his overall record — beginning with the start of the 2021 season — is below .500 as the time of his firing. As long as the record stays at .500 or better, Pittman's buyout will be 75% of his remaining base salary and supplemental compensation, which currently totals $5.25 million annually.

Pittman's record at Arkansas since 2021 is now 25-21. With just four games remaining this year, Pittman cannot dip below the .500 mark and his buyout cannot drop to the 50%-mark until the 2025 season unless Arkansas reaches a bowl game with a 5-7 record.

Including a $1.2 million retention payment that would accrue to Pittman on Dec. 31, his total pay for 2024 is $6.45 million. That is 13th-highest in the SEC and just below Auburn's Hugh Freeze. His max bonus of $1.4 million this season is the 11th-highest in the SEC. The max bonus for Vanderbilt's Clark Lea was not disclosed.

More: Landon Jackson's return to Arkanas football boosts draft stock, inspires Hogs' turnaround

More: Sam Pittman's hot seat hits the cooler after Arkansas football's upset win over Tennessee

After this season, Pittman will still be owed no less than $19.9 million over the final three years of his contract. If he is fired this offseason on Dec. 1, he would be owed no less than $12.1 million.

There was buzz last year that Pittman would be fired, but Yurachek gave the head coach a public endorsement following a 44-20 win over FIU.

Sep 14, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman reacts after a play in the first quarter against the UAB Blazers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

This summer, CBS Sports published a 2024 Hot Seat Rankings story for all 134 FBS coaches. In the article, Pittman was the only coach in America listed under the category "win or be fired."

However, Arkansas has already eclipsed its win total from 2023, and Pittman has a signature home win over Tennessee. The victory over the Volunteers earlier this month marked Arkansas' first home win over a top-10 team since 1999.

The Razorbacks return to action next week at home against Ole Miss, needing just one win to clinch bowl eligibility.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: What Arkansas football's win means for Sam Pittman’s buyout

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What Arkansas football’s win over Mississippi State means for Sam Pittman’s buyout

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