Arkansas officially closed the Sam Pittman chapter on Sunday following a crushing 56-13 home loss to No. 21 Notre Dame, signaling the program’s urgent need for change. Pittman leaves with a 32-34 record in just under six seasons, highlighted by a nine-win, top-25 campaign in 2021, the Razorbacks’ first-ranked finish since 2011.
Despite that peak, consistency eluded Pittman, and Saturday’s defeat marked his third straight loss. Meanwhile, the Colorado Buffaloes, coached by Deion Sanders, are 2-3 overall and winless in Big 12 play, coming off a narrow 24-21 loss to No. 25 BYU. Colorado’s next challenge is a road game against the TCU Horned Frogs.
Colorado HC Deion Sanders’ Linked With Arkansas Job
Sanders’ name has surfaced in SEC coaching discussions amid Arkansas’ opening, largely because of his previous interview with athletic director Hunter Yurachek during the Pittman hiring process in December 2019.
As On3’s Pete Nakos noted on X, “Deion Sanders previously interviewed for the Arkansas job with athletic director Hunter Yurachek, when the Razorbacks ultimately hired Sam Pittman.”
Deion Sanders previously interviewed for the Arkansas job with athletic director Hunter Yurachek, when the Razorbacks ultimately hired Sam Pittman.https://t.co/AS6ZShY5u1 https://t.co/SHRLz5U42Y
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) September 30, 2025
Nakos explained, “Beyond Lashlee, another sitting Power Four head coach to know is Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. He previously interviewed for the Arkansas job when Yurachek was in the process of hiring Pittman. He has brought the Buffaloes back to relevancy and has made multiple top-25 appearances the last two years”.
He added, “Yurachek was impressed by Sanders previously. Sanders leaving for Arkansas is unlikely; another question will be salary. He just signed a new extension increasing his base salary to $10 million in 2025 and rising to $12 million by 2029.”
Financial considerations play a huge role in Sanders’ potential move. His buyout clauses make an early exit costly. Sanders is owed $12 million if fired before December 31, 2025, with the figure decreasing in subsequent years, including $10 million in 2026 and $3 million by 2029. This makes any SEC leap a complex financial decision for both Sanders and the Arkansas athletic department.
Fan Backlash Intensifies Against Sanders’ SEC Speculation
Amid mounting speculation that Sanders could be considered for the Arkansas head coaching vacancy following Pittman’s dismissal, college football fans have not held back their opinions. Social media reactions reflect a mix of skepticism, criticism, and disbelief over the prospect of Sanders moving from Colorado to a high-profile SEC program.
One fan sarcastically noted, “Hiring Deion would be the final death blow for Arkansas as a program, but on the bright side they would get Lil Wayne on the sidelines to witness it first hand. I think that’s worth it,” poking fun at Sanders’ celebrity-infused coaching style while questioning his ability to revive the Razorbacks.
Hiring Deion would be the final death blow for Arkansas as a program, but on the bright side they would get Lil Wayne on the sidelines to witness it first hand.
I think that’s worth it
— M (@ShowMeZou) September 30, 2025
Other reactions have been more pointed in their criticism of Sanders’ record and coaching approach. One user wrote, “What’s not to like about a…*checks notes*… A 15-15 FBS HC with major health issues, no bowl wins, and no conference championships!!!,” highlighting concerns about Sanders’ overall performance and lack of postseason success.
What’s not to like about a…
*checks notes*
A 15-15 FBS HC with major health issues, no bowl wins, and no conference championships!!!
— Jake Gonnjarok (@JVince11) September 30, 2025
Another doubted his intentions, stating, “Deion isn’t a serious coach, he used Colorado for his kids and if you have been watching this year you would know that,” suggesting that his tenure at Colorado has prioritized family over program development.
Deion isn’t a serious coach, he used Colorado for his kids and if you have been watching this year you would know that
— UltimaSkyFire (@NerdMan1722) September 30, 2025
Fans have also emphasized the chaotic, high-profile persona Sanders brings, with one declaring, “Nobody wants to be part of the Prime Circus, he’s a terrible coach.”
Another fan commented while comparing the potential hire unfavorably to the outgoing coach, writing, “Would be worse off than we were with Pittman,” indicating that moving to Sanders could be a step backward for a struggling Arkansas program.
Would be worse off than we were with Pittman
— Cole Ward (@Coulja_Boy) September 30, 2025
These reactions illustrate that while Sanders has been successful at raising the national profile of Colorado football, his potential leap to the SEC is viewed by many fans as risky, polarizing, and potentially disruptive. The scrutiny highlights the challenge any high-profile hire faces in a conference as competitive and tradition-rich as the SEC.
This weekend, Colorado continues its seven-game early-season stretch with a Saturday matchup at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium. Both teams are coming off late-game collapses in recent weeks, but TCU (3-1) has demonstrated more consistency, including victories over UNC and SMU.
Their pass-heavy offense will challenge Colorado’s defense, while the Buffaloes’ inconsistent quarterback play will be tested against a disciplined Horned Frogs unit. Colorado is graded C with a defense impact of 74.9 by PFSN College’s Defense Impact (DEFi). Will it improve next week?
