As the Arkansas Razorbacks prepare for the 2025 football season, few coaches on Sam Pittman’s staff understand the changing landscape in Fayetteville better than special teams coordinator Scott Fountain. Entering his sixth season with the program, Fountain remains one of the most experienced and trusted voices on the sideline. But this year, more than ever, he’s facing a wave of transition — from personnel turnover to new special teams contributors and evolving expectations across the Southeastern Conference.
“Every year is different,” Fountain said in spring camp. “But this one definitely feels like a reset in a lot of ways.”
It’s not just lip service. The Razorbacks saw significant roster turnover this offseason, including the departures of multiple core special teams contributors via graduation and the transfer portal. Fountain, who has built a reputation for consistency and development, now has the task of reestablishing reliability in units that are often the difference between winning and losing in the SEC.
A Trusted Veteran Voice in Fayetteville
When Sam Pittman arrived in Fayetteville in December 2019, one of his first calls was to Scott Fountain. The two had worked together at Georgia, and Pittman knew the value of a special teams coordinator who not only taught fundamentals but understood how to manage the chess match of field position and game momentum.
Since then, Fountain has overseen units that have blocked punts, flipped fields, and swung games for the Hogs. Whether it was the impact of Cam Little’s reliable kicking or Reid Bauer’s punting consistency in past years, Arkansas fans have come to expect stability on special teams — an area Fountain is passionate about.
But entering 2025, the coach acknowledges the rebuild ahead.
“We lost a lot of guys who logged big minutes and played key roles for us — gunners, returners, holders, long snappers,” Fountain said. “We’ve got new faces everywhere, and that’s exciting, but it also means we’ve got to teach and train fast.”
New Personnel, New Roles
One of the biggest losses for Arkansas on special teams is the departure of long-time kicker Cam Little, who declared for the NFL Draft after a standout career. Little leaves as one of the most accurate kickers in school history and was a steadying force during some tumultuous stretches.
In his place, the Razorbacks have brought in redshirt freshman Eli Hadley and graduate transfer Juan Santos from Utah State, both of whom are competing for kicking duties this spring. While neither has Little’s resume, Fountain sees promise.
“Eli’s got a really smooth stroke, and Juan brings experience and maturity,” Fountain said. “It’s going to be a real competition, and I like that. Iron sharpens iron.”
At punter, Arkansas is breaking in a new starter as well. With Reid Bauer gone, junior Brooks Webber and freshman Sam Petrovsky are vying for the job. Neither has logged significant in-game reps, but both have strong legs and have been working extensively with Fountain on directional punting and hang time.
In the return game, look for redshirt sophomore Isaiah Sategna to be a featured weapon. Sategna, a former track star with blazing speed, flashed potential last year on kickoff and punt returns and is expected to take on a heavier role.
“He’s a guy that can change a game in one touch,” Fountain said. “We just have to keep coaching the ball security and the decision-making. If that part clicks, he can be special.”
Building from the Ground Up
What makes special teams such a unique coaching challenge is the ever-changing nature of the personnel. Starters often rotate in and out depending on depth charts and injuries, and younger players are often asked to contribute immediately on coverage units.
This spring, Fountain has spent much of his time with walk-ons, freshmen, and players lower on the depth chart, preparing them to step up when needed. That development-first mindset has been a hallmark of Fountain’s approach and a reason he’s held the job through multiple staff adjustments.
“We don’t treat anybody like a scout team player in the special teams room,” Fountain said. “Everyone’s going to have a role at some point — whether it’s covering a kickoff in Tuscaloosa or blocking a punt in a bowl game.”
His message has resonated with younger players like safety Braylen Russell and linebacker Dylan Hasz, who have drawn praise in spring practices for their buy-in and hustle on special teams.
Embracing the Moment, Not Avoiding the Challenge
Despite the turnover and rebuilding process, Fountain remains energized by the opportunity in front of him. At 58 years old, he’s still one of the earliest to arrive at the facility and the last to leave, pouring over tape, coaching reps in walkthroughs, and ensuring every detail is accounted for — from snap counts to lane integrity on kickoff.
His special teams units have consistently ranked among the top half of the SEC, and he sees no reason why this group can’t reach that standard, even if it takes time.
“I tell our guys all the time — you may not be the star on offense or defense, but if you make a play on special teams, the whole stadium notices,” Fountain said. “That’s your moment.”
And with Arkansas looking to climb the SEC standings after a disappointing 2024 season, those moments will be pivotal. Whether it’s a blocked kick to swing momentum or a perfectly placed punt to pin an opponent deep, special teams will again be the razor’s edge the Razorbacks walk in the SEC.
Continuity in Chaos
While staff turnover hit many parts of the Arkansas program in recent years, Fountain’s steady hand has remained. His return for a sixth season provides not just experience, but continuity — something increasingly rare in today’s college football climate.
He’s fully aligned with Pittman’s vision, trusted by players, and energized by the challenge of rebuilding the Hogs’ third phase.
“We’re going to coach ‘em hard, love ‘em harder, and play our tails off,” Fountain said. “That’s what special teams is all about.”
As Arkansas enters a new season with new names and fresh faces, one thing remains the same — Scott Fountain will be on the sideline, clipboard in hand, ready to make sure the Razorbacks are prepared for every kick, every snap, and every moment.
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