What is Sam Pittman's buyout? Here's what it will cost Arkansas football to fire coach
Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman remained confident in his job security coming out of the Hogs' 48-10 loss to Auburn this weekend, but that won't quell speculation about his ever-increasing hot seat.
The Razorbacks are 3-7 with just one conference win and are in the midst of their worst season since Pittman arrived in 2020. There is a growing sense that this could be his last year in Fayetteville, but Arkansas stands to save significant coin if it holds off on that decision until next season.
According to the terms of Pittman's contract, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, he will be owed no less than $16.1 million if the university fires him without cause before Dec. 1, 2023.
That number reflects 75 percent of the $20 million Pittman is still owed over the final four years of his contract. Pittman signed a contract extension in 2022 following a 9-4 record in 2021 that included a victory in the Outback Bowl.
More: Sam Pittman: 'Mistake' of Arkansas football watching 'The Polar Express' in locker room
More: Stunning loss puts faith in Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman on notice
But in that extension, Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek inserted a clause that reduces Pittman's buyout to 50 percent of the money owed if his overall record — excluding the shortened season in 2020 — ever dipped below .500. That would bring Pittman's buyout to roughly $10.7 million.
Since 2021, Pittman is 19-17, meaning the below .500 clause can not trigger until next season, with Arkansas having just two games remaining in 2023.
Pittman is scheduled to make $6.35 million in 2023 through Dec. 31, including a $5.25 million salary that includes $500,000 in annual salary, $4.5 million in additional compensation for speaking engagements and a $250,000 bonus for winning seven games in 2022. His pay ranks him 22nd among all FBS coaches and 10th among the SEC’s 14 coaches.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Sam Pittman's buyout: Here's what it will cost Arkansas football
