Sam Pittman’s first spring as Arkansas’ head coach is on hold as the SEC has shut down all meetings, practices and games due to the coronavirus outbreak. Pittman shared a public statement via Arkansas football’s official Twitter account.

“I appreciate the leadership that (athletic director) Hunter [Yurachek] and Commissioner [Greg] Sankey have shown over the last few days. These are unprecedented times that we are all dealing with right now and they continue to evolve. We want to make sure we are doing the right thing for the health and safety of our student-athletes and community.

When we are allowed to return to team activities, we’ll be ready to go with a plan to improve our football program until then we’re focused on making sure everyone stays healthy.”

The 2020 season is Pittman’s first as an FBS head coach. He previously coached Hutchinson Community College in 1992-93.

Monday, March 16, was supposed to be the start of the Razorbacks’ first spring practice under Pittman. Practices were to be held on Wednesdays and Fridays up until the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 25. All SEC sports spring activity is on hold until at least April 15. Ahead of spring practice, Pittman and had his staff had held junior visit days on Feb. 1 and March 7 trying to build the 2021 recruiting class.