SMU nabs Lashlee as new coach
DALLAS — SMU hired former Arkansas Razorback quarterback Rhett Lashlee as its new head coach Monday, bringing back its former offensive coordinator to replace Sonny Dykes.
Lashlee had been Miami’s offensive coordinator for two seasons after serving in the same role for the Mustangs during Dykes’ first two seasons in 2018 and 2019.
“I am humbled and excited to be returning to SMU,” Lashlee said. “On the field, we want to build on the foundation of success we’ve established and compete for, and win, championships.”
Dykes spent the past four seasons at SMU and will be introduced as TCU’s new coach Tuesday, though neither school has formally announced him as Gary Patterson’s replacement.
A native of Springdale, Lashlee was the quarterback at Shiloh Christian, leading the Saints to three consecutive state championship games, winning two. When he completed his high school career, he held state records in several passing categories, including career passing yards (13,201) and career touchdown passes (171).
Lashlee, 38, was primarily a backup quarterback at Arkansas. He was the quarterbacks coach at Springdale High School under Gus Malzahn, his coach at Shiloh Christian. He was a graduate assistant at Arkansas in 2006 while Malzahn was the offensive coordinator.
In all, Lashlee has been a college offensive coordinator for 11 seasons at six schools. He was at Samford in 2011 before serving on Malzahn’s staffs at Arkansas State (2012) and Auburn (2013-16). Lashlee spent 2017 at UConn before going to SMU.
“As with previous transitions, our process was thorough and competitive. Ultimately, though, our conversations kept leading us back to one man — Rhett Lashlee,” SMU Athletic Director Rick Hart said. “Rhett’s ability to connect with recruits, his passion and love for his players and his alignment with our vision and values are among the many reasons he has been selected to lead SMU football.”
SMU planned to formally introduce Lashlee during a news conference today.
The bowl-bound Mustangs (8-4), still among the nation’s top offenses at 38.4 points and 465.9 yards per game this season, started 7-0 before losing four of their final five games. SMU averaged nearly 42 points and 489 total yards a game in 2019 with Lashlee as OC before he went to Miami.
The Hurricanes (7-5) have averaged 450 yards and 35 points per game this year.