Here is a specific breakdown of Arkansas coach Sam Pittman’s buyout:

He agreed to a new contract in the spring of 2022, and it was formally approved in June of that year. The deal, negotiated by super agent Jimmy Sexton, including retention bonuses to be paid at specific times in the contract.

If Pittman were fired at the end of this season, Arkansas would owe him for 4 years of salary (at $5 million per) and retention bonuses that would increase the total pool to $22.1 million.

But Pittman won’t receive all of that money because it’s not a fully guaranteed deal.

Pittman’s contract stipulates that he will receive 75% of money owed if his record is .500 or better from the beginning of the 2021 season. That “2021” detail is important because many outlets have reported that his overall record just needs to be above .500. Pittman arrived at Arkansas in 2020. His overall record after Saturday’s 7-3 loss to Mississippi State is 21-23. That includes a 3-7 mark in 2020.

However, for purposes of his buyout, the only seasons that matter are 2021 and beyond.

The Hogs are 18-16 during that span and have games remaining this season at Florida, and home games against Auburn, FIU and Missouri.

Pittman needs only 1 win in those 4 games to guarantee a .500 or better record since 2021 and earn 75% of the money owed — or a buyout of $16.575 million.

If he finishes with a sub-.500 record, he receives 50% of money owed — or a buyout of $11.05 million.

In other words, the fiscally smart thing for Arkansas to do is wait to see if the Hogs lose out, thereby saving the university $5 million in buyout money. So don’t expect a decision on Pittman until the end of the season.

Unless, that is, Arkansas loses to Florida, Auburn and FIU and drops to 18-19 since the 2021 season, and the university decides to fire Pittman and not give him the opportunity to coach the last game of the season — with $5.5 million on the line.