Ask MF: Why fire assistants midseason? Plus, Playoff prognostications and much more
You have questions. We (hopefully) have answers!
Thanks for all the great questions, and for all of your support for the site so far.
Let’s do it again soon, shall we? (Hoping to hear from Tyler from Spartanburg next time.)
Bill writes: Hey Matt, big fan of yours and sadly the Arkansas Razorbacks. Which brings me to my question: The firing of Dan Enos accomplished what exactly? Delay the inevitable? Buy Pittman another year? Hogs are 1-9 in their last 10 one-score games. Ouch!
MF: Thanks Bill! Great question. As 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello noted, the Hogs will ultimately end up paying $3.7 million to Enos for eight games that featured zero wins over Power 5 teams. Brutal, especially in this climate. Pittman’s job security has been a source of discussion throughout this season, although the chatter around his buyout dropping 50 percent if he is below .500 is based completely around his record after 2020. With four games left this season, Pittman stands at 18-16 since 2021. Arkansas also plays FIU in three weeks, so it stands to reason that he will be .500 (19-19) at worst come season’s end. Still, will that be enough to save his job? I think it will ultimately be a test case for this market. Pittman exceeded expectations early, is a likable figure and, from what I have been told, has a great relationship with AD Hunter Yurachek. But could the big-money folks in Fayetteville ultimately decide now is the time to make a move, and the time to take advantage of a relatively quiet year on the carousel? Stay tuned.
Ben writes: Matt, thanks for your work. When you look at state of college football coaching, what are the top 2 attributes you are looking for in a coach? Is it in game management? Recruiting? CEO type? Young/old? With NIL, transfer portal, on top of actual X's and O's, the skills needed seems to be at an all time high.