DALLAS — SEC Media Days were in Dallas for the first time as the conference welcomed two new schools—Texas and Oklahoma.
While the Longhorns and Sooners were the talk of the town at this year's event, it was also a busy day for Arkansas and head coach Sam Pittman.
Here are our biggest takeaways from what Pittman had to say:
High hopes
It's no secret that Pittman is on the hot seat heading into his fifth season with the Razorbacks, and he addressed that speculation Thursday morning.
"I'm at the top of the [hot seat] list," Pittman said. "Two years ago, I was one of the top six guys up for the Coach of the Year award; isn't it crazy? I want to be that guy, not the one out there last year. The only one who can really control the hot seat is me... I'm not concerned about it."
As coaches and players typically are, Pittman was also highly confident about his team. He said his team’s expectations are “as high as they’ve ever been” heading into the 2024 season, citing how the program has managed to flip the script after mediocre finishes, such as the turnaround from 2020 (4-8 record) to 2021 (9-4 record).
Ready for the challenge
The rugged schedule that Arkansas has been dealt for this upcoming season doesn’t appear as challenging as past seasons, and not playing Alabama should certainly help that.
Nonetheless, the Hogs still undoubtedly play in the toughest conference in college football, and that’s a challenge that Pittman is ready to take on again this season.
"It gives us more opportunities to make a splash," Pittman said. "Anytime you play top 25 teams and win, it's a splash... it gives us a lot of opportunities, and that's how we're looking at it."
The Hogs will undoubtedly have many chances to make a statement this season, especially with games against six projected top 25 teams—Texas, Ole Miss, Missouri, LSU, Tennessee and Oklahoma State.
New additions
The most significant topic on Thursday was Bobby Petrino's appointment as offensive coordinator. Many have wondered how the former Razorback head coach would perform under Pittman's leadership.
Pittman described Petrino as "not pushy but perfect."
"We've had a really good relationship," Pittman said. "He's been a really good addition... like a security blanket... I got Bobby there. I had Barry [Odom] there. I have Bobby there that I can run off things. Both guys are not, 'Hey, we need to do this.' I'll ask them questions, and I want their opinion, and they know it."
Another new assistant on staff is Eric Mateos, who Pittman hired as an offensive line coach in December 2023. Pittman had nothing but good things to say about Mateos, a graduate assistant for Pittman at Arkansas from 2013-15.
Pittman said Mateos's impact on the offensive line room has been "remarkable."
"It's not just with changing players, it's with the attitude of the guys," Pittman said. "The comrade of the guys."
Beyond the additions to the coaching staff, quarterback Taylen Green is unquestionably the most significant addition to this year's squad. Green, a highly touted transfer from Boise State, is expected to make an immediate impact this season for the Razorbacks.
When asked about his new quarterback, Pittman emphasized his leadership.
"I believe he's a great player, a great athlete, but he's a better person and a great leader," Pittman said. "I think if you polled the team, 'Who should we take [to the SEC Media Days]?' He would definitely be one of the huts that would say, 'You better take him coach because he's the man of this football team,' and he is."