A Penny for My Thoughts

Arkansas Razorbacks Football. Ready. Go.

This week, the U.S. Treasury Department announced its intention to stop making pennies. After 233 years of service, it was determined that it no longer made sense to spend 4 cents to make something only worth 1 cent.

Maybe that will make the value of my smashed penny collection or my brother’s Penny Hardaway basketball card collection go up? Maybe the cost of all goods will have to become divisible by 5 cents so people that still pay in cash can get proper change? Or maybe it’s just the start of a broader cycle of change (the nickel reportedly costs 14 cents to make and of the $23 billion in coins in circulation, over 60% are estimated to be held longterm in piggy banks or jars)?

With pennies going away, I wanted to take the opportunity to use the idiom that’s been used since 1522 when Sir Thomas More wrote, 'It often happeth, that the very face sheweth the mind walking a pilgrimage, in such wise that other folk sodainly say to them a peny for your thought.'

“A penny for your thought” means “what’s on your mind” and implies you’re even willing to pay for someone’s thoughts. So what’s on my mind?

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Chuck Barrett’s comment of “It’s the mantra of stupid people.”

Two weeks ago on the Chuck and Bo radio show, Barrett said “When someone says ‘I refuse to settle for mediocrity,’ that right there is on the level of ‘I used to play high-school football. I mean, the minute someone says ‘I’m not going to accept mediocrity,’ you are done. I’m not listening to another word you say. It’s the mantra of stupid people.”

Now I can agree that people shouldn’t live in the past, but if we were willing to accept mediocrity Mike Anderson would still be our basketball coach and Danny Ford would still be our football coach. But we refused to accept their success-rate and the way they ran their programs and then greatly turned things around.

It really comes down to perspective. Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” It’s not stupid to keep trying to do better.

This makes me wonder what the longtime voice of the Razorbacks thinks is keeping us stuck in mediocrity? Is it the conference we play in? The money allocated to staff and players? Or is it simply the coach?

Hogs fans seem ready to 86 Coach Cold Beer, but I’m not sold on that idea just yet.

Thomas Keller is arguably the most influential chef in America. He put American cuisine on the global map and is the only chef to ever simultaneously receive 3 Michelin stars at 2 different restaurants (The French Laundry, in Yountville, California and Per Se, in New York City).

But Keller didn’t have instant success. In fact, he was 40-years-old and had worked at over 19 different restaurants before he finally found his “it” factor when he purchased The French Laundry and took over as executive chef.

So just like the story of Michael Jordan being cut from his high school basketball team or the lyrics of the new Forrest Frank song Drop!, “It ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish.”

So what could Sam Pittman learn from Thomas Keller?

1. Sense of Urgency. All of Keller’s restaurants actually have a plaque that says “Sense of Urgency” hanging underneath a clock in their kitchens. He said “It's something I ask my team to come to work with each day, and it goes beyond just making sure we are prepared and ready to serve. It's about speed, but it also means investing in what we do with importance. Great cooking is the accumulation of countless tiny tasks. Taken in isolation, these tasks might seem minimal. But each and every one of them is vital to the whole. And performing them with urgency heightens their significance even more.”

This same mindset has to be applied to preparation and performance in sports. Coach Pittman knows there is a sense of urgency to win now, and it will take the accumulation of countless tiny tasks to have a great football team.

2. Nobody even knows what 86 means. When Chef Keller 86’s something, he is removing it from the menu because it’s no longer available. But there is great debate in the restaurant world for where this ubiquitous term came from and what its original meaning was:

• Is it related to death and burial with most graves being dug 8-feet-by-6-feet and 86 inches deep?

• Is it because the last stop on the New York City train system was at 86th Street for many decades before being completed?

• Is it because the steak at Delmonico’s (America’s first fine-dining restaurant) was #86 on the menu and often ran out?

• Is it related to the F-86 Sabrejet that was so lethal during the Korean War?

• Or does it simply rhyme with nix?

We may never know exactly why restaurant workers use the term 86, but we do know that Sam Pittman doesn’t plan to get fired/cut. This week he stated that he plans to coach for the remaining 3 years on his current contract.

“I said, whenever I signed the contract after the 2021 season, I signed for 5 more years. And then we won 7-plus games, which was in my contract, one time that I could get an extension. So I have 3 years [left], and I always said that I wanted to coach through that obligation,” Pittman said. “That’s what I want to do, after that, I don’t know.

“Part of that saying was the way I looked. I had a hip that was terrible. I probably looked older than I am. I’ve been out walking 2 miles a day now, and I feel great. I love my job and this team. Everybody in this business is going through the same thing with portal rosters. It just seems to get magnified at times in our state. My goal is to coach, at least through what my contract is.”

And I can personally say that Coach Pittman does look a lot better. He was in Bentonville, for the Razorbacks Roadshow on May 12th and looked like he had gotten on Ozempic and been putting in work in the gym. He had shed pounds and was moving freely. So don’t look for him to get 86ed, unless that means he coaches until he’s 86-years-old.

3. Impossible n'est pas français. The French expression is actually a proverb, equivalent to "there's no such thing as can't" or simply "nothing is impossible." In French, you should never say that something is impossible, because, according to the proverb, impossible isn't even a French word.

When asked what advice he would share with his younger self, Chef Keller responded:

“The first is patience. Always be patient with your career and with yourself. Make sure you take the time to learn the skills that you will need in the future. Do not rush! Cooking is rewarding, it should be fun, and it gives us the opportunity to nurture others. That is the real reason we cook, and we must find the purpose in each task that allows us to do so. Enjoy the time you will be honing your skills, make friends, travel when possible, try things. It is hard to go back! Be patient, and enjoy where you are while you are there. The second word is persistence. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something! If you are willing to try, and if you work hard at it, you will find a way. I became who I am today because I believed in myself. I never gave up. I couldn't. If you believe that you cannot fail, then you will persist even in the most challenging times.”

As Arkansas fans, we have gotten accustomed to looking for the worst. When we have a lead in a game, we are waiting for some terrible moment or call that will turn the momentum and cost us the game.

When we look at next season’s football schedule, it’s easy for us to count more losses than wins. I’ve even found myself wondering if the Hogs can beat Arkansas State in Little Rock in the Red Wolves “Super Bowl”, finally getting to take on the in-state opponent that has neglected to play them ever. You read that right, the two largest universities in the state have never played a football game against each other.

But Coach Pittman and his fanbase should look at the schedule like the French, Thomas Keller, and Kevin Garnett and think…

And then you’re looking at potentially a 9-3 season and the College Football Playoff is now in play (more to come on this later).

4. Raw Ingredients Matter - Thomas Keller once said, “Let's face it: if you and I have the same capabilities, the same energy, the same staff, if the only thing that's different between you and me is the products we can get, and I can get a better product than you, I'm going to be a better chef.”

This is the "It's not the X's and the O's but the Jimmys and the Joes." argument. For Arkansas to compete in the SEC it has to have athletes that can compete at the highest level.

Coach Pittman has continued to churn his roster and this offseason upgraded his offensive line and receiving corps and added much-needed depth on defense.

I’m particularly excited to see what WR Jordan Anthony can do this season. He’s the only player that came with offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino from Texas A&M. He only had 8 catches for 111 yards and 1 touchdown last season, but he is one of the best athletes in the SEC.

Last weekend he went off at the SEC Track and Field Outdoor Championship and helped the Hogs secure their 5th straight championship. He accounted for 21.5 points in earning the Commissioner’s trophy as the high-point scorer.

He won the 100m in a career-best of 9.95 seconds and completed a rare sweep of SEC Indoor 60m and SEC Outdoor 100m titles and became just the sixth SEC sprinter to achieve the double and produced the equal best combined time of 16.49 from the two events with a 6.54 and 9.95. Anthony was only .02 seconds from setting an SEC record in the 100m by beating LSU’s Richard Thompson in 2008.

While his 100m victory was impressive, Anthony supplied a shocking victory in the 200m with a career-best 19.93. Anthony now moves to No. 2 on the Hogs all-time list behind the 19.89 set in 2005 by Wallace Spearmon Jr. (yes, the US Olympian).

He also ran anchor-leg on the Arkansas 4 x 100m relay that finished 3rd, but still ranks No. 6 on the UA all-time list. Boy can straight fly.

And as a personal note, every time I’ve started a new dynasty on the video game College Football ‘25, I’ve won the Heisman trophy with Anthony and his 99 speed, acceleration, and agility in his second year as a Hog. Access to the right raw ingredients matters.

5. “Consistency defines greatness.” This is one of Keller’s keys to success. He says that anyone can be a flash-in-the-pan success, but it’s hard to deliver consistent lunch and dinner 300 days per year.

I know our team is working hard everyday, but normally as fans, we simply show up for a few home games per year to support the team. But I’m committed to get back to the grindstone and put in the necessary work to help the Hogs succeed.

I’ll be attending 10 of the Hogs 12 games this season. The last time I committed to that type of aggressive road-game travel schedule was 2010 when I attended 11 of 13 games and only saw one loss in-person as the team went 10-3.

If I can be consistent, hopefully Coach Cold Beer can be, too.

Or maybe Sam Pittman just needs help from AI?

Google and AI searches for “How to [insert task]” are now at an all-time high.

So I got some help from Google’s Gemini with the prompt “How to win more games as the Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach.”

1. Sustained Offensive Excellence under Bobby Petrino:

• Continued Development of Taylen Green (or new QB): Consistency, decision-making, and limiting turnovers will be paramount. If he struggles, the quarterback room will need to be re-evaluated, potentially through the transfer portal or the development of a younger QB like KJ Jackson or Grayson Wilson.

• Offensive Line Continuity & Elite Play: The offensive line has been a consistent issue. The transfers brought in for this season (Carmona, Broussard, Kitler, etc.) need to gel and become a dominant unit. It's about retaining that talent, developing depth, and consistently being one of the best offensive lines in the SEC, which is crucial for Petrino's scheme.

• Explosive Skill Position Play: Petrino's offenses thrive on big plays. Developing young receivers, running backs, and tight ends, and continuing to find impact transfers at these positions, will be essential to consistently score points in the challenging SEC. Names like Kam Shanks, O'Mega Blake, and Courtney Crutchfield would need to be major contributors, and the next recruiting classes need to add more playmakers.

2. Elevating Defensive Play to an SEC Standard:

• Recruiting & Developing Defensive Line Talent: In the SEC, games are often won in the trenches. Arkansas needs consistent pressure on the quarterback and stout run defense. This requires a continuous influx of high-caliber defensive linemen through both high school recruiting and the transfer portal. Key players like Cam Ball, Quincy Rhodes Jr., and Justus Boone will be critical, and younger guys need to develop into stars.

• Linebacker and Secondary Depth & Impact: The defense needs more consistent playmakers at all three levels. Xavian Sorey Jr. is a key piece at linebacker, and the secondary needs to reduce big plays allowed. This means not only retaining existing talent but also successfully recruiting and developing young defensive backs and linebackers.

• Consistency Against Elite Offenses: To truly win more games, the defense needs to hold its own against the top offenses in the SEC. This means improved tackling, better coverage, and the ability to generate timely turnovers.

3. Strategic Roster Management (NIL & Transfer Portal):

• Retaining Key Talent: In the current NIL and transfer portal era, retaining your best players is as important as recruiting new ones. Arkansas needs to be competitive in NIL to prevent key contributors from leaving for other programs.

• Targeted Portal Additions: The transfer portal will continue to be a vital tool. Arkansas needs to identify specific roster weaknesses and bring in proven talent that can make an immediate impact, especially on the offensive and defensive lines.

• Strong High School Recruiting: While the portal fills immediate needs, sustained success is built on strong high school recruiting classes. Arkansas needs to consistently sign top talent, particularly in-state and from surrounding talent-rich states, to build a strong foundation for the future. The 2026 recruiting class already has some promising early commitments, like Colton Yarbrough (DE) and Jaivion Martin (TE).

4. Navigating the Evolving SEC Landscape (New Playoff Format):

• Expanded Playoff Opportunities: With the expanded College Football Playoff, a successful 8-4 or 9-3 season in the SEC could realistically put Arkansas in playoff contention. This raises the stakes and the reward for achieving a winning record.

• Tougher Schedule: The SEC's expansion (Texas, Oklahoma) means an even tougher schedule. Pittman and his staff need to be prepared for relentless competition week after week. Winning "swing games" (e.g., games against teams of similar perceived talent) will be crucial.

• Coaching Stability: While Pittman has stated his intention to finish his contract, performance will dictate his long-term future. A strong 2025 season would provide more stability and allow for better long-term planning, including recruiting and staff retention.

5. Continued Development of Program Culture & "One-Score Game" Improvement:

• Clutch Performance: Arkansas has a history of losing close games (7-17 in one-possession games since 2020).For 2025-2026, Pittman needs to find ways to flip these outcomes. This comes down to execution in critical moments, mental toughness, and potentially better game management.

• Leadership and Discipline: Building a strong, disciplined culture where players hold each other accountable is essential for sustained success.

---

Look, it’s not likely that the Arkansas Razorbacks will make the College Football Playoff this year, but we do have to stop and reflect on how far we have come from the Chad Morris debacle and have faith that we can always do better.

Even if the wins don’t stack up quickly, we have to keep perspective. As former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said:

“If we're constantly looking at our win-loss record to determine whether we are doing well, we're not looking at the right barometer. If you're always striving to achieve a success that is defined by someone else, I think you'll always be frustrated. There will never be enough championships, never enough wins. And when you finally attain them, if you're lucky enough to do so, they'll only be numbers. Somebody will say you were great or successful, but ultimately you'll know it's an empty success. The only way to get around such an unhappy ending is to continually define your own success.

Your definition of success should have more depth than the equivalent of winning a national championship. It should be whatever passion moves you deep in your heart.”

Our passion should match our mission which is “to prepare student-athletes for peak performance in life. We equip student-athletes with tangible skills and critical information that prepares our students for college experiences and life after college athletics.”

Anecdotally, we are graduating more players and putting more players in the pros. We are playing clean and close games that are fun to watch, and our players aren’t in the news for off-the-field issues. And we are overall winning at a pretty nice clip. Arkansas Razorbacks athletics ranks #1 with 52 SEC championships in the past 10 years.

So no, I don’t think that refusing to accept mediocrity is the mantra of stupid people, I think it’s a healthy thing for people to do as they seek mastery of a skill or topic. And I do think the Arkansas Razorbacks are trending in the right direction in football.

I love the idea of a good Pittman turnaround story. Let me write that book: Cold Beer Budget, Champagne Shower Success. I’ll charge a penny per word for my thoughts, but promise to round down to the nearest nickel.

-WPS