It's official: Scott Symons Named SMU Defensive Coordinator

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Scott Symons Named Mustang Defensive Coordinator

DALLAS (SMU) – Head Coach Rhett Lashlee has announced the addition of Scott Symons as SMU's Defensive Coordinator. Symons comes to the Hilltop after spending two seasons as Defensive Coordinator at Liberty, while also working with safeties (2019) and linebackers (2020).

Liberty closed out the 2021 season with a win in the Lending Tree Bowl and finished in the top 20 in passing yards allowed (9th, 180.3), red zone defense (10th, .725), total defense (15th, 320.2) and tackles for loss (16th, 7.1), while also ranking 26th in sacks (2.85) and 27th in scoring defense (21.5).

In 2020, Symons helped the Flames to a 10-1 season and a No. 17 final ranking in the AP Poll, its highest in program history. He was named to the Broyles Award Watch List and led the defense to a top-20 ranking in total defense (No. 11, 317.7). Liberty also ranked No. 12 in passing yards allowed (184.0) and No. 22 in scoring defense (20.5). The 2019 season saw Liberty finish 28th nationally in sacks (2.69/game) and 31st in interceptions (12).

During his time with the Flames, Symons mentored NFL free agent signees Solomon Ajayi, Elijah Benton, Jessie Lemonier and Bejour Wilson. Liberty also won back-to-back FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl titles in 2019 and 2020.

He spent the 2018 season as inside linebackers coach at Memphis, where he helped the Tigers to an 8-6 record and appearances in the American Athletic Conference Championship game and the Birmingham Bowl.

From 2014-17, Symons served as Defensive Coordinator and safeties coach at West Georgia, where he helped the Wolves to three NCAA Division II playoff appearances, as well as back-to-back 12-win seasons, two NCAA Division II Super Region 2 titles and a Gulf South Conference Championship.

Symons spent the 2013 season at Arkansas Tech as Defensive Coordinator, after serving in a variety of roles, including working with wide receivers, defensive backs and as co-Defensive Coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Harding from 2008-11.

Lashlee and Symons spent the 2012 season together at Arkansas State, where Symons was a defensive quality control analyst.

Symons earned his bachelor's degree in history from Lindenwood in 2008 and went on to earn a master's in kinesiology from Harding in 2010. Originally from Hurst, Texas, he and wife Kristen have three children – Peyton, Hudson and Rhett.