FAYETTEVILLE — According to a report earlier this week, Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek turned down an opportunity to take the same position at Auburn.
In turn, according to information obtained by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as part of a Freedom of Information Act request, Yurachek's salary will be increased to $1.5 million per year beginning in January 2023 and his contract will be extended through Dec. 31, 2027.
Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman on Wednesday commended Yurachek for his loyalty to Arkansas.
“(It means) everything,” Pittman said. “That’s a man that practices what he preaches. To me, he already was powerful with all of us head coaches. For him to do exactly what at times he asks us to do, is powerful.
“I’m so glad that he’s staying.”
Pittman added that it would be an understatement to say he is excited Yurachek will remain his boss.
The third-year head coach is one win away from leading Arkansas to back-to-back bowl berths. It can reach the six-win threshold Saturday against Liberty in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
“Obviously, he’s the one who gave me my opportunity,” Pittman said, “but the old saying, ‘He practices what he preaches,’ that’s what he does. That shows what kind of man he is.”
Pittman was hired by Yurachek in December 2019 to lead the Razorbacks following a pair of 2-10 seasons. It was Pittman's first opportunity to be a Division I head coach after a long career as an assistant, including at Georgia from 2016-19.
Pittman is 17-14 overall at Arkansas with an Outback Bowl victory over Penn State last season. He has nine wins against SEC competition. The Razorbacks won one SEC game in the three seasons before he was hired.
“I have a lot of respect for him and (his wife) Jennifer (Yurachek)," Pittman said. "And I mean what I’m saying. I’m ecstatic that he decided to stay.”