SMU signs contract extension with Lashlee

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU, Lashlee Announce Contract Extension

DALLAS (SMU) ΓÇô SMU Athletics and Head Football Coach Rhett Lashlee have agreed to a multiyear contract extension, Director of Athletics Rick Hart announced Monday.

"We are excited to announce this extension with Coach Lashlee to keep him on the Hilltop for years to come," said Hart. "Coach, his family and his staff have poured so much into our program and our student-athletes. This extension is well deserved and there's no question about the commitment and dedication that he has shown to SMU. As we enter the ACC, there is no one we'd rather have leading our football program than Rhett."

Lashlee is in his second season as head coach at SMU and has a 17-8 career record and a 13-3 mark in league play. SMU is 10-2 in 2023, ranked in the AP and AFCA Coaches Polls, and, after an undefeated 8-0 mark in conference play, is set to play in its first AAC Championship Game next Saturday. SMU ranks among the national leaders in both offense and defense and has outscored its AAC opponents 367-136 this season.

"Lauren, our kids and I love being part of the SMU Family. We want to thank Dr. Turner, Rick Hart, David Miller, Bill Armstrong, the Board of Trustees and the entire University community for their continued belief in us and our staff," said Lashlee. "We believe in what we are building on the Hilltop and we are excited to finish this season with a chance to compete for the conference championship in the American, and we're humbled to be leading our program into the ACC in 2024 and beyond."

Lashlee also served as offensive coordinator for the Mustangs for two seasons (2018-19), helping lead the Mustangs to a 10-3 finish in 2019, guiding an offense that ranked No. 7 in FBS in scoring (41.8 points per game), No. 13 in passing offense (309 yards per game), No. 9 in total offense (489.8 yards per game) and No. 12 in first downs gained (322). SMU's 10 wins were the school's most since the 1984 season, and its 35 rushing touchdowns set a school record. In his first season at SMU (2018), the Mustang offense ranked 27th nationally in passing offense at 271.7 yards per game.

Lashlee has SMU on the cusp of a conference championship thanks in large part to his teams' ability to win in the month of November. Lashlee has posted a 7-1 (.875) mark for November in his two seasons as leader of the Mustangs, and his winning percentage for the month ranks as the highest for a head coach in the program's history.

[PK]

^ EXCELLENT NEWS!!!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Great!!!!

[Webmaster]

It would be hard to imagine a more deserving coach and individual. I hope the powers-that-be also ponied-up for the rest of the FB staff. With the possible exception of Special Teams, I think the coaches have all over-performed my expectations.

[redpony]

It would be hard to imagine a more deserving coach and individual. I hope the powers-that-be also ponied-up for the rest of the FB staff. With the possible exception of Special Teams, I think the coaches have all over-performed my expectations.

totally agree- we need to keep this coaching team together.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

Lashlee has SMU on the cusp of a conference championship thanks in large part to his teams' ability to win in the month of November. Lashlee has posted a 7-1 (.875) mark for November in his two seasons as leader of the Mustangs, and his winning percentage for the month ranks as the highest for a head coach in the program's history.

A subtle dig at Sonny perhaps?

[Water Pony]

Delighted to see this Contract Extension.

Coach has been a solid leader during an amazing transition for SMU the last two years. His influence has impacted our performance, recruiting, and finally ability to credibly to promote and achieve an invitation to the ACC. More than stability, it offers fans and recruits a demonstration of our complete commitment to on-going success in FB.

Thank you to the administration and our major donors for realizing the need and making this happen.

[highlander]

Lashlee has SMU on the cusp of a conference championship thanks in large part to his teams' ability to win in the month of November. Lashlee has posted a 7-1 (.875) mark for November in his two seasons as leader of the Mustangs, and his winning percentage for the month ranks as the highest for a head coach in the program's history.

A subtle dig at Sonny perhaps?

It may be a "dig", but it is also fact-based.

[PlanoStang]

SMU has undisclosable contracts, if I remember right. Hope it's nowhere near wTf's Jimbo contract extension.

[PonyTales]

Lashlee has SMU on the cusp of a conference championship thanks in large part to his teams' ability to win in the month of November. Lashlee has posted a 7-1 (.875) mark for November in his two seasons as leader of the Mustangs, and his winning percentage for the month ranks as the highest for a head coach in the program's history.

A subtle dig at Sonny perhaps?

I see nothing subtle about that.

The Athletic has a (subscription) story ranking college football teams as the regular season winds down. The top 25 pretty much mirrors the AP poll.

SMU is 25. TCU is ... 68.

Makes our loss to them look worse, but I don't care. I love seeing their nosedive highlighted for all to see and enjoy.

[SmooBoy]

Lashlee has SMU on the cusp of a conference championship thanks in large part to his teams' ability to win in the month of November. Lashlee has posted a 7-1 (.875) mark for November in his two seasons as leader of the Mustangs, and his winning percentage for the month ranks as the highest for a head coach in the program's history.

A subtle dig at Sonny perhaps?

Nothing subtle whatsoever. A CALCULATED dagger to the heart for Sonny's lackluster finishes here and in FW. The marketing and social media savvy of SMU FB has definitely moved in the right direction with the team's success.

[HorsePower]

Just like the ACC announcement -- it was no accident that Lashlee and Hart kept referring to the fact that SMU is the only school in north Texas in a "top 3 conference."

Love it ... along with the rumblings that some of the money alums in Fort Worth already are talking about Dykes' replacement.

[highlander]

Just like the ACC announcement -- it was no accident that Lashlee and Hart kept referring to the fact that SMU is the only school in north Texas in a "top 3 conference."

Love it ... along with the rumblings that some of the money alums in Fort Worth already are talking about Dykes' replacement.

If true, this is staggering news. Imagine leading a team to the national championship game in your first year, and then being on the hot seat before the end of year 2.

[shadowman]

Great news!

You have to figure our move to a P5 conference along with the significant pay bump and our ability to match other offers down the road will keep him a Mustang for as long as SMU wants him.

The only job I could see him contemplating down the road would be Arkansas if they ever came calling. Hard to pass up an SEC gig with your alma mater.

[Topper]

Membership in the ACC will be a big help when it comes to retaining winning coaches. I understand that sometimes a school like A&M can offer money so substantial that it can't be turned down. But hopefully if Lashlee ever leaves for a really premier job he won't conduct his contract negotiations during the middle of our season. Or embarrass our school by leaving for a 2nd rate campus 35 miles to our west.