Arkansas gives Pittman raise after Alabama interest

Sam Pittman talks with Tennessee offensive lineman Zach Fulton during a game against Akron at Neyland Stadium.
Sam Pittman talks with Tennessee offensive lineman Zach Fulton during a game against Akron at Neyland Stadium.

— Arkansas has given offensive line coach Sam Pittman a contract extension and pay raise after reports indicated Alabama inquired about him for the same position earlier this month.

Pittman, who was hired in December after one year at Tennessee, will make $500,000 per year through June 30, 2016. His original contract was $275,000 per year through June 30, 2014.

The new contract makes Pittman the Razorbacks' highest paid non-coordinator on Bret Bieleama's first staff. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and defensive coordinator Chris Ash signed multi-year contracts worth $550,000.

With Pittman's raise, the nine assistant coaches will now make about $3.23 million per year.mThe Razorbacks' assistant coaches have received sizable pay raises following each of the last three seasons and the 2013 staff is the highest-paid in school history.

In a Feb. 11 message on Twitter, Bielema wrote, "Can't say THANK YOU enough to UA administration & support to keep our staff together when others come calling to hire away."

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