Former Auburn OC Rhett Lashlee hired as head coach at SMU

Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Virginia won 30-28. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Rhett Lashlee has been named the new head football coach at SMU, the school announced Monday.

The 38-year-old Lashlee returns to the Mustangs after two seasons as offensive coordinator at Miami. He was previously OC on the FBS level at SMU (2018-19), Connecticut (2017) and under Gus Malzahn at both Arkansas State (2012) and Auburn (2013-16).

“I am humbled and excited to be returning to SMU to lead Dallas’ College Football Team,” Lashlee said. “I want to thank President (Gerald) Turner, (athletics director) Rick Hart and the members of the search committee for this opportunity. My family and I look forward to engaging the community and continuing to strengthen the program’s ties to the city. On the field, we want to build on the foundation of success we’ve established and compete for — and win — championships.”

SMU announced Lashlee’s return despite not officially announcing the departure of predecessor Sonny Dykes, who is expected to be hired at TCU. That school has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday morning, but has not yet announced Dykes has been hired.

“As with previous transitions, our process was thorough and competitive. Ultimately, though, our conversations kept leading us back to one man — Rhett Lashlee,” 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. We will provide Rhett with the support and resources he needs to bring a championship to the Hilltop, and are thrilled to welcome Rhett back to SMU.”

A Springdale, Ark., native, Lashlee played quarterback for Malzahn at Shiloh Christian School and later under Houston Nutt at Arkansas. He joined the Arkansas staff along with Malzahn as a graduate assistant in 2006 and followed his mentor to Auburn as a GA in 2009.

Lashlee was a part of Auburn’s 2010 national championship team, and got his first full-time college coaching job as Samford’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Pat Sullivan in 2011. After one year with the Bulldogs, he was reunited with Malzahn at Arkansas State.

Dykes went 30-18 in five seasons at SMU, including 8-4 in 2021. He will take over a TCU program that fired long-time coach Gary Patterson last month.

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