Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – September 28, 2025 – Multiple news sources are reporting that the University of Arkansas has fired its head football coach Sam Pittman.
Read ESPN’s report here: Arkansas fires coach Sam Pittman, names Bobby Petrino interim – ESPN
An official announcement was made on the University of Arkansas Razorback website, written by Kyle Parkinson:
Arkansas has made a change in the leadership of the football program with the dismissal of Head Coach Sam Pittman by Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek.
Pittman was named the Razorbacks’ 34th head coach in December 2019 and was in his sixth season leading the Hogs in 2025. He was 32-34 overall while winning three bowl games in his tenure. Arkansas is 2-3 this season heading into the bye week before returning to action at Tennessee on Oct. 11.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has been appointed as the Hogs’ interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Petrino served as the Arkansas head coach from 2008-11 before returning last season as the team’s offensive coordinator.
“I want to thank Coach Pittman for his service and dedication to the University of Arkansas throughout his time as head coach,” Yurachek said. “From Day 1, you could tell how much this opportunity meant to him. At this time, however, I feel a change is necessary to put our student-athletes and program in the best position to be successful. The goal for our football program is to be highly competitive within the Southeastern Conference and compete for a national championship. As we move forward in the process of finding our next head coach, I am certain we will be able to provide the necessary resources to our staff and team to reach our goals. We will begin a national search for our next head coach immediately and that search will include Coach Petrino, who has expressed his desire to be a candidate for the full-time job.”
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement following the news of Pittman’s firing and the naming of Petrino as interim head football coach:
“Sam Pittman helped turn around the Arkansas football program from one of its all time lows and brought energy and excitement back to the Hogs that was desperately needed. I’ve always appreciated how much Sam loved Arkansas and wasn’t looking to use it as a stepping stone but a place to call home. Sam is a man of high integrity and character. Bryan and I have loved getting to know him and Jamie and we are proud to call them friends.”
“Bobby Petrino has demonstrated a track record of winning at Arkansas and we hope he can bring the team together and lead them to finish the season strong. We will be cheering Bobby and the Razorbacks on!”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.