Coaches say they’re tight-knit

FAYETTEVILLE — If Sam Pittman fails to achieve success at the University of Arkansas, it won’t be due to a lack of unity from the coaching staff.

One Razorback assistant after another spoke at Thursday’s media availability about staff camaraderie and wanting to do well with Pittman. Perhaps the most vocal was defensive coordinator Barry Odom, who said he had many opportunities after being fired by Missouri soon after the Tigers’ seasonending 24-14 victory over Arkansas, but he jumped at the chance to work with his longtime buddy Pittman.

“I’m excited to be part of this staff, a bunch of like-minded guys with zero ego, and I think you look at opportunities to be with really good people,” Odom said. “There’s not a better person than Sam Pittman.”

Offensive line coach Brad Davis, who was on Odom’s staff at Missouri the past two seasons, was the first to come on board with Pittman.

“It’s so neat when you see good things happen to good people,” Davis said. “Coach Pittman has earned the right to be here, and it’s for no other reason than how he’s treated people along the way, how he’s made people feel, his ability to attract people to want to be around him.

“He’s got an infectious personality. He’s probably the most genuine human being I’ve been around, particularly in this profession. He’s a man’s man. He doesn’t have an ego. He’s not gonna walk around with his nose in the clouds. He wants to roll his sleeves up and go to work.”