Arkansas HC Sam Pittman reacts to Longhorns' Steve Sarkisian's "Texas hate" statement at 2024 SEC Media Days

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman responded to Texas coach Steve Sarkisian's frank comments about their rivalry. While conference realignment can bring positive changes, one change that fans typically do not enjoy is when two rival teams move to different conferences. This can cause historical rivalries to come to an end. However, this is not the case with the Razorbacks and the Longhorns.

Sarkisian talked about Sam Pittman at the 2024 SEC Media Days on Wednesday and discussed the rivalries that are coming back to the SEC.

“So much has been made of conference realignment and so much has been made of teams now traveling across the country or losing rivalry games that they've had historically,” Sarkisian said via the Austin American-Statesmen. “We've benefited. We got two back. We're looking forward to it, it's one of the beauties of making this move (to the SEC).”

“I jokingly say this, I feel like when you go to Arkansas, (at times it) feels like they hate Texas more than they like themselves,” Sarkisian said. “That's a real rivalry. That's when you know you're in a real rivalry. I know so much has been made of us getting to play A&M again but the fact that we get to play Arkansas again is awesome. How many teams in the country get to play three rivalry games in the regular season?”

On Thursday, Pittman replied to Sarkisian's comments.

"I would say he's probably right," Pittman said. "The difference is Texas is certainly a different team than what we played (in 2021). That was his first year there and now obviously he's a great coach, great guy. Got a wonderful football team," Sam Pittman said.

"But I'm glad that we're going to play them at home again. You know, I don't know if that's fair because they came there two years ago. But it's an early-morning game, so -- but he's probably correct. You would have to ask the old hats of Arkansas, but he's probably right."

Sam Pittman knows he is in a difficult position this CFB season

The Arkansas Razorbacks did not have a successful year last season, as they say, winning only 4 out of 8 games. They were also on a six-game losing streak and also lost at home.

But despite that, the head coach of the team knows his impact on the fans. Despite being in a difficult position, he was confident at the 2024 SEC Media Days in Dallas on Thursday.

"I'm popular now, just the wrong way. I'm hot. I'm like, the start of the list," Pittman said, as per Times Record.

"Two years ago I was the keynote speaker at AFCA and was one of the top six guys for the coach of the year award. Isn't it crazy? I want to be that guy, and not the one that was out there last year. I think we can be. Listen, what's fair is fair. If you're going to get pat on the back, you're going to get punched in the gut."

Sam Pittman will enter the fifth season with the Arkansas Razorbacks and has a record of 23-25. Despite earning two bowl victories, last year was not the best and he is determined to change that.