LITTLE ROCK — Literally spelled out in the lyrics of an Aretha Franklin hit song is the No. 1 priority for Sam Pittman.
“R E S P E C T,” for the Razorback program is at the top of the wish list of many UA fans who know all too well that simply being competitive is a baby step, a prerequisite to such down-the-road goals as bowl eligibility and qualifying for an SEC championship every 10 years.
Nationally, respectability for Arkansas football is at an all-time low with so-called experts and the media. Sure, the opposing coach often praises one thing or another about the Razorbacks, but such remarks are pretty much obligatory during game week.
In the short term, Pittman’s reputation will help and his hiring will cure fans infected with apathy resulting from an 8-28 record the past three years, but the same can be said for supporters of Florida State, Ole Miss and Missouri with the introductions of Mike Norvell, Lane Kiffin and Eliah Drinkwitz.
At one time or another, all were mentioned prominently in athletics director Hunter Yurachek’s search for a successor to Chad Morris.
The silver lining to the horrific record and an SEC losing streak that began Nov. 11, 2017, means an extremely low bar for Pittman, particularly in his first year. And respectability is vague enough that individuals will apply their own standards.
For those seeking specifics, the first step is beating all nonconference foes that do not belong to a Power Five conference — with an exemption for independent Notre Dame next Sept. 12 — and avoid a string of non-competitive losses such as the 2019 defeats by 148 points vs. Auburn, Alabama, Mississippi State and LSU.
Respectability also means being competitive entering the fourth quarter against all but the SEC’s very best. When and if that happens, an SEC victory becomes a possibility.
Pretty much a footnote when announced in early October, Nevada replacing Kent State as Arkansas’ 2019 opener means 3-1 in the 2019 nonconference is not a given. Named head coach prior to the 2017 season, Jay Norvell has the Mountain West Conference member in a bowl game for the second straight year and was one of four candidates the Missouri athletics director originally mentioned during his coaching search.
And, the prospect of a 2-2 record is only a prelude to the SEC schedule. Living up to a moniker invoked by former Arkansas coach Bret Bielema, this “Debbie Downer” believes Pittman’s first Arkansas team is likely to be 0-6 in the league before they get to their most vulnerable conference opponents, Ole Miss and Missouri.
Only Charleston Southern and an open date interrupt a stretch that begins with Mississippi State and Texas A&M, includes Alabama and LSU, and concludes with Tennessee and Auburn.
The first two are bowl bound and are expected to be better in 2020 with their starting quarterbacks returning. Alabama’s defense will be more typical of the Crimson Tide after starting four freshmen much of the recent season. Joe Burrow’s replacement won’t be as good as the likely Heisman Trophy winner, but LSU always has athletes. The Vols finished the season with five straight victories and Auburn quarterback Bo Nix improved dramatically during his freshman year.
Lagging far behind in recruiting only adds to the UA’s dilemma.
According to ESPN, LSU already has 24 commitments, Alabama 23, Mississippi State 22, Auburn 21 and Texas A&M 20, and those are just teams in the SEC West with the Razorbacks.
Those commitments include almost 60 athletes in ESPN’s top 300 and that same accounting shows the Razorbacks with six commitments and only one in the top 300.
Most of the select athletes have been courted for two years or more and Pittman has barely a week to convince the uncommitted set on signing early that Arkansas is right for them.
School-generated releases announcing a hiring are always positive, but Yurachek was correct when he called Pittman “one of the nation’s best recruiters” and the new man in charge is certain to hire an assistant or two with a reputation for selling an athlete on a program.
But, what about the product Pittman and his UA assistants must tout? Certainly, they can’t take the same approach as Florida State’s new coach when they pitch Arkansas.
“There is a tradition of excellence here,” Mike Norvell said when introduced Sunday. “There is a standard. Success is coming.”
Trust is a big part of the coach-player relationship and prospects would see straight through such a promise from Arkansas coaches. Somehow, UA coaches must convince athletes that something positive is going to happen in Fayetteville and that being in on the ground floor is a good thing. Many will prefer to go where success is already part of the environment.
On the plus side, none of this will come as a surprise to the 58-year-old Pittman.