College football’s head coaching seat is the hottest right now. Four head coaches have been fired so far, including Arkansas’ Sam Pittman. Following a 13-56 loss to Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame, Arkansas is undergoing a coaching overhaul, with three additional defensive coaching staff members being fired. However, college football is brutal; the circuit took a deep breath and moved on. Add Marcus Freeman to that list as well.
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“You never want to see someone in any profession lose his job…But this is the profession we chose,” he said of Pittman’s firing per On3 Sports’ Tyler Horka. The Razorbacks entered the field as the underdogs, but despite Irish defensive woes, the Razorbacks could barely put up just a field goal in the first quarter, as opposed to Jeremiah Love’s two touchdowns.
The second quarter raised hopes with Shaq McRoy’s 1-yard touchdown and another field goal by Scott Starzyk. But that was it. The last of the action by the Razorbacks. The defense proved no better. Defensive coordinators Marcus Woodson and Travis Williams’ defensive unit allowed four touchdowns in 15 minutes. Following Pittman’s release, both of them were let go as well. Defensive linebacks coach Deke Adams also bid farewell.
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The Irish head coach wishes him (Pittman) the best for his future endeavors. “He’s gonna be okay, because — I don’t know him personally — but I’ve heard he is a competitive, great human,” he added.
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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman on former Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman losing his job after losing 56-13 at home to the Irish:
“You never want to see someone in any profession lose his job…But this is the profession we chose.”
Freeman says he wishes Pittman the best.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) September 29, 2025
Following the poor performance, Arkansas fans were angry, and cries for Pittman’s firing erupted in Fayetteville. Trey Wallace of OutKick wrote: “It’s been fun covering Sam Pittman, but Arkansas looks lost, and apathy is going to set in for those fans,” he wrote on X. “This is Ugly.” Pittman was aware of the environment. “I understand. I get it. If I was a fan. I’d be mad at me, too, you know? I’d be frustrated as hell at me,” he had said post-game.
Eventually, on Sunday, he was let go. Freeman further added that Pittman was a competitive, selfless coach who took the roster to a 9+win in 2021, the only season that witnessed joyful bursts in Fayetteville. Following that, the program struggled to climb back up the uphill track.
Marcus Freeman’s instructions to go full-throttle
The halftime saw the scoreboard with the Irish dominating 42-13. With the duo, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Smith, absolutely on fire. With just five weeks into the season, they have chipped in 16 touchdowns. Yet, Freeman took no chances moving further into the game. The offense was to go for the kill. Well, too much was at stake for Notre Dame; their loss against Miami and Texas A&M still stinging, and they had entered the turf, favored by 4.5 points. So, the head coach’s order to go full throttle made sense.
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NCAA, College League, USA Football 2025: Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Game APR 12 April 12, 2025: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman during the Notre Dame Annual Blue-Gold Spring football game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. John Mersits/CSM. Credit Image: John Mersits/Cal Media South Bend Indiana United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20250412_zma_c04_082.jpg JohnxMersitsx csmphotothree375023
As the halftime bled into the third quarter, A fake punt+ reverse pass, as WR Jordan Faison took the ball and passed it to Malachi Fields, chipped in another 40 yards, followed by two more touchdowns in the second half. And the Razorbacks? Steamrolled, 0-14 (second half). “Freeman felt that the team couldn’t relax in the second half and that no lead is a safe lead. It also puts something on film, “ The Irish Illustrated wrote on X.
Even after a dominating lead, Freeman was determined not to rest. “I didn’t want to relax. There’s no lead that’s comfortable. I felt it was a time to send a message to our team. I also want our next couple opponents to see that. It’s a mindset we have to be aggressive.” Razorbacks’ defense was upsetting; they had given up 56 points against the Irish. But even before entering the field, Pittman’s defense was scrambling. Over the last three losses, the defense hit the bottom of the SEC ladder; Last in rushing yards allowed per game at 168.0
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Irfan Kabeer