Why Arkansas’ Sam Pittman is bullish about Dowell Loggains’ future at South Carolina

Sam Pittman’s voice booms around the Grand Hyatt hotel.

He’s spent the last hour perched behind a lectern, regaling gathered media members with tales about his Arkansas squad — along with a few scattered thoughts. He name-dropped Brian Bosworth. He mistook a man in the crowd for Garth Brooks. He highlighted his Spotify playlist of choice these days (“Hot Springs Yacht Club”). Oh, he also mentioned how he sang on stage with Foreigner last week.

But as Pittman made his way through the car wash-style setup of SEC Media Days, he became semi-reflective and softer in tone when asked about former Arkansas tight ends coach Dowell Loggains.

“He’s obviously got experience,” Pittman told The State. “I’m not for sure on what he’ll want to run, but like I told Shane (Beamer) — he’ll do a good job. He’s a good recruiter and wish him well.”

There was almost a somberness to the way Pittman spoke about Loggains on Wednesday. It’s not so much that there’s love lost. Granted, losing an assistant coach to another SEC squad certainly has its downsides. Where the disappointment resides is as much in how beloved Loggains was during his time at Arkansas.

Those close to South Carolina’s new offensive coordinator will tell you similar things. He’s down to earth. He’s easygoing. He’s relatable. Those things play in college football. Need proof? Take Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson’s word for it.

While Loggains spent the bulk of his time working with tight ends in Fayetteville, Jefferson picked his brain on footwork tips and how his game could translate to the NFL level. That came with its share of comparisons.

“His experience coaching in the league and being around great quarterbacks like Vince Young (was great),” Jefferson said Wednesday. “Having a guy on your staff like that that can really teach you and tell you what you can expect at the next level was a blessing.”

Well meanings and positivity aside, Loggains still enters his first year in Columbia as a semi-unknown at the college level. He spent almost two decades in the NFL as a play-caller before a three-month stint at Penn State and two years coaching tight ends under Pittman. Now he’s tasked with finding some semblance of consistency in the post-Marcus Satterfield era at USC.

What Loggains’ offense actually looks like remains to be seen. Pittman noted Loggains learned bits and pieces from the spread offense ex-Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles installed. Combine that with the pro elements from Loggains’ long tenure in the NFL and his South Carolina offense ought to take on varying shapes from the two ideologies.

Speaking with The State last month, quarterback Spencer Rattler noted there’s some similarities to what Satterfield drew up, but noted tongue-in-cheek we’d have to wait until Week 1 to see specifics.

“I think he brought ideas,” Pittman said. “I think a little bit of what (Briles) was doing was not what he had done in the league, if that makes sense. So that’s why I say I’m not positive what he wants to do. But whatever he wants to do, he’ll have the knowledge to do it.”

Rattler will assuredly be focal point for South Carolina’s offense in 2022. Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. — the SEC’s leading returning receiver — also figures to be in the center of the equation. Throw in a face familiar to Loggains in former Arkansas tight end Trey Knox, who’s oozing with All-SEC potential, and the building blocks are there for a more steady product in 2023.

“I feel like he was a physical guy,” Arkansas running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders said of Knox. “Very physical guy and not scared to block and do blocking things. He knew the plays. Great guy. Could catch. He loved to play any position.”

Added Jefferson about Knox: “Great young man. Very mature. Very vocal. He’s a leader. Wants to see the best out of each and everybody, especially his teammates. He just loves to work and loves to grind.”

South Carolina’s season opener slotted for Sept. 2 in Charlotte against North Carolina remains 45 days away. Short of a handful of practice viewing sessions throughout fall camp, that contest will offer the first real look at Loggains’ offense in action.

For now, it’s best to take Pittman at his word — and that should make fans in and around Columbia plenty excited.