Should Arkansas have hired Mike Leach instead of Sam Pittman?
Mike Leach was almost the Arkansas football coach instead of Sam Pittman.
Kind of. Kind of not.
Leach wanted the job in 2019 when Bret Bielema was let go, but despite Arkansas brass knowing that, he was, allegedly, never contacted. And, of course, as we all know, the search for Bielema’s replacement otherwise went swimmingly.
So when the school sought a replacement for Chad Morris, Leach, still upset by the first snub, wanted a big pay-day. Needless to say, things didn’t come to fruition and Arkansas went with a former assistant from Bielema’s staff, Sam Pittman and Leach wound up at Mississippi State.
Each coach is in his third year at his school. Arkansas has won both meetings against the Bulldogs since with the third set for an 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday. And for the longest time – basically every single week until last week – Arkansas fans had felt like they won the prize, that they were better off with Pittman than Leach.
Now the Hogs are 3-2 – not exactly shlepping it – and coming off losses to Texas A&M and Alabama. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are 4-1 and in both Top 25 Polls.
So, let’s take a peek. Through two-and-a-half seasons, how do the coaches cmopare?
Sam Pittman and Mike Leach: head-to-head
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – NOVEMBER 06: Head Coach Sam Pittman of the Arkansas Razorbacks talks on the field before a game with Head Coach Mike Leach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 06, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Things don’t get much more direct than this: Pittman and Arkansas have won both meetings in the last two years.
Check-mark: Pittman
Sam Pittman vs Mike Leach: In the SEC
Sep 17, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman talks to wide receiver Kamron Bibby (88) prior to the game against the Missouri State Bears at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Both coaches went 3-7 in league play their first year in 2020. Both coaches went 4-4 in league play last year. The only difference this season is that Mississippi State has played one fewer SEC, which has resulted in Arkansas being one loss behind MSU.
Check-mark: Push
Sam Pittman vs Mike Leach: Recruiting
Jul 20, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman shown on the stage during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Arkansas’ national rankings under Pittman: 29th in 2020, 25th in 2021, 28th in 2022
Mississippi State’s national rankings under Leach: 28th in 2020, 26th in 2022, 26th in 2022
Seriously? That’s a push again. It’s getting wild how close these two teams are.
Check-mark: Push
Sam Pittman vs Mike Leach: All-SEC selections
Sep 10, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach looks on during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sam Pittman
1st-team: Grant Morgan (2020), Treylon Burks (2021), Montaric Brown (2021)
2nd-team: Treylon Burks (2020), Bumper Pool (2020, 2021), Jalen Catalon (2020)
Mike Leach
1st-team: Charles Cross (2021)
2nd-team: Emmanuel Forbes (2021)
Pittman win that matchup, but it’s a curious metric to measure because neither coach was terribly involved in recruiting those players.
Check-mark: Pittman
Sam Pittman vs Mike Leach: Overall
Sep 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Sam Pittman: 15-13
Mike Leach: 15-14
Ultimately, that’s the reality. Arkansas has the slightest of slight edges on the five comparison points here
