The new coaching staff at Arkansas has yet to even coach a game for the Razorbacks but raises have already been given out according to Sam Pittman.

According to the head Hog, defensive coordinator Barry Odom and offensive line coach Brad Davis have been approached by rivals SEC programs this offseason. Arkansas reacted quickly and handed each assistant coach an extra $100,000 to keep them on staff in Fayetteville, according to Matt Jones of Whole Hog Sports.

The Arkansas coach said Texas A&M attempted to hire Davis, while Pittman did not specify which SEC program attempted to hire Odom.

Pittman shared this news during a March 12 Razorback function, before the coronavirus prevented such gatherings from taking place.

The first hire Pittman made when he landed the Arkansas job was bringing in former Missouri offensive line coach Davis to Fayetteville. While it’s never a surprise to see another program try to poach a quality coach away, the bond between Pittman and Davis goes back many years.

Once Davis arrived at Arkansas, he shared his thoughts on turning around the reputation of the program’s offensive line, something that will be helped by working under Pittman.

“People ask about recruiting and all that stuff, the guys we signed, the biggest recruiting job we did yet to do was win the hearts and minds of the players that are here now,” Davis said in his first public media session following his hire. “And that’s my No. 1 mission now, to win our players over, to let them know how much I care about them, how much their success means to me. And ultimately from there, I can go demand and ask that they go off and be great.”

Davis also shared his feelings on the job he plans to do and understands the criticism that will come if expectations aren’t met.

“I understand if we don’t play well, we are going to hear about it,” Davis said, “you know what I mean? I fully anticipate it but I also came here to kick ass, so I’m not afraid to run from anybody.”

He’s also proven he’s not afraid of the challenge of turning around the Razorbacks offensive line when he could have jumped at the opportunity to coach under Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M.

If you needed any further proof that Pittman hired the right staff at Arkansas, this news should be all you need to hear.