Lashlee announces staff changes

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Lashlee Announces On-Field Staff Changes

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU Football Head Coach Rhett Lashlee announced on-field staff changes for Kyle Cooper and Sam Dunnam on Wednesday.

Cooper heads to the offensive side of the ball as the running backs coach, while also continuing his role as special teams coordinator. Cooper has been a staple in Lashlee's coaching career, also spending time with him at Miami (2020-21) along with a previous stint with the Mustangs (2018-19) and at UConn (2017).

A former two-time team captain at Robert Morris, Cooper oversaw one of the most successful special teams seasons in recent memory, resulting in the three all-conference selections in kicker Collin Rogers (first team), return specialist Roderick Daniels Jr. (second team), and punter Ryan Bujcevski (third team).

Prior to the 2023 season, Cooper was named to Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40 Under 40 List. He was also recognized by 247Sports in its 30 Under 30 list back in 2021.

Cooper was part of the 2019 Mustang offense that set school records for scoring (544), scoring average (41., total yards per game (489., rushing touchdowns (35), and total touchdowns (73).

Dunnam got promoted to on-field defensive assistant and edges coach after serving this past season as the senior defensive quality control analyst. He played a key role in the SMU's dominant defense this season, which saw the team finish in the top 20 in numerous defensive categories for FBS teams.

Both changes are immediate for the Mustangs.

SMU finished up its historic season going 11-3 and capturing the first outright conference championship for the program in 41 years while going undefeated in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Mustangs' 11 wins were tied for second most in program history.

[BUS]

Congratulations
Let's Go WION.

More linemen please

[birddogger]

I wish I were as enthusiastic as others about the promotions. I felt as if our STs improved, but still underperformed. Too many blocked kicks (OU, Rice, BC, at the least--maybe more) and I noticed that on many occasions we did not have enough. or had too many, players on the field, to the point that RL was personally doing head counts. That shouldn't be happening. I had convinced myself that we were getting a full-time ST specialist to coach, rather than maintaining the status quo.

As to the RB coach, I again was under the misimpression that we would be hiring someone from the outside. No knock on Coach Cooper, he seems to be a capable guy whom RL trusts. What's his rep as a recruiter?

[dalpony]

Cooper is one of our better recruiters

[CA Mustang]

I wish I were as enthusiastic as others about the promotions. I felt as if our STs improved, but still underperformed. Too many blocked kicks (OU, Rice, BC, at the least--maybe more) and I noticed that on many occasions we did not have enough. or had too many, players on the field, to the point that RL was personally doing head counts. That shouldn't be happening. I had convinced myself that we were getting a full-time ST specialist to coach, rather than maintaining the status quo.

As to the RB coach, I again was under the misimpression that we would be hiring someone from the outside. No knock on Coach Cooper, he seems to be a capable guy whom RL trusts. What's his rep as a recruiter?

I agree on both counts. ST is an area SMU needs to improve significantly on next season and not bringing in a dedicated coach for it is a head-scratcher.