Sam Pittman shares more details about dealing with COVID, how Feleipe Franks will handle his emotions vs. Florida
By Keith Farner
Published:
This has been a weird week for Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, he admitted on Wednesday, as he continues to deal with a positive case of COVID-19, and is isolated in his guest house at home.
On the SEC coaches media teleconference on Wednesday, Pittman shared what his experience has been thus far.
“I feel fine, I was sore in the back starting Saturday night after the game,” Pittman said. “But I thought that was from standing up. I thought my back was hurting from the game… the great thing is no one from our building has it… basically the difference is the personal interaction with the kids… I’m just not at practice, that’s about the difference.”
His wife tested negative, but she is staying in their main house, Pittman said.
This is the first game Pittman has missed in his career.
“I’ve missed a practice here or there but I bet I’ve missed just 2-3 practices over the years… it’s weird,” he said.
How will you spend Friday and Saturday?
“No I can’t go in the main house, I might get Lucy my bulldog to come out here,” Pittman said. “I’d be lying if I said I’m not a little depressed… this is why you get into coaching, to be with your kids, looking forward to meeting and talking with Coach Mullen, I enjoy those pregame moments.”
Pittman said Arkansas was given permission to move quality control coach Michael Scherer to a full-time role with Pittman out. Scherer is a former Mizzou linebacker that played for defensive coordinator Barry Odom.
In this reunion for Feleipe Franks, Pittman was asked about his quarterback getting too emotional facing Florida, his former team.
“I don’t think so, he’s had a good week of practice,” Pittman said. “He knows this game isn’t all about him, it’s about us… but he’s a competitor and he’s going to want to play as well as he can… I think he’ll be fine, he’s looked good in practice.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
