Sam Pittman understands what new Oregon coach Dan Lanning will be dealing with Saturday
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No. 11 (AP) Oregon faces No. 3 Georgia on Saturday in one of the biggest games of the week.
New Ducks head coach Dan Lanning helped lead the Bulldogs to a national championship a year ago as Georgia’s defensive coordinator. He will now be tasked with facing his old team.
One person who knows what Lanning will be feeling Saturday is Arkansas coach Sam Pittman. He was in a similar situation in 2020.
Pittman had left Georgia after four seasons as assistant to take the Razorbacks job, and he found himself playing host to the Bulldogs in his first game. Arkansas lost, 37-10.
During the SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday, Pittman was asked about that experience and what Lanning is likely going through this week.
“At least Dan had it on the schedule when he took the job,” Pittman joked. “I didn’t. I had no idea we were going to play Georgia here when I took the job and they ended up being the first game due to the COVID situation. … He’ll be excited for it. … He’ll be well aware of what they do. … I’m really happy for Dan — a wonderful person and a great man. Kirby would say the same thing as well.”
The Bulldogs and Ducks are set for a 3:30 p.m. (ET) kickoff on ABC.
Interestingly enough, Pittman and the No. 19 Razorbacks will play at the same time, as they play host to No. 23 Cincinnati on ESPN.
"Chris Wallace covers college football for Saturday Down South. He has covered college athletics for multiple newspapers and also worked previously for Rivals.com and GolfChannel.com."
