Rhett Lashlee

Rhett Lashlee is a decorated college football head coach, known for his high-tempo offensive philosophy, who has led SMU to significant success, including an ACC Championship appearance and multiple Coach of the Year awards. After leading SMU to an unprecedented 11-3 record and an undefeated 8-0 conference run in their inaugural ACC season in 2024, Rhett Lashlee earned widespread acclaim as ACC Coach of the Year by both the ACC and the Associated Press, along with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Coach of the Year. His transformative leadership culminated in an ACC Championship appearance and the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff bid as the No. 11 seed.

This landmark season, alongside his 2023 performance, also saw Lashlee named a finalist for the prestigious Paul “Bear” Bryant, George Munger, and Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Awards. Serving as Head Coach for SMU since 2022, Lashlee quickly re-established the program’s prominence, achieving back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time in program history, which included securing the AAC Championship in 2023. Under his guidance, SMU reached as high as seventh in the Coaches Poll during the 2024 season, ultimately finishing 12th nationally. His teams consistently ranked in the top 25 across various FBS offensive and defensive statistical categories.

Lashlee earned the unique distinction of being the only coach nominated for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant, four different times at four different schools, including a finalist nomination in 2013 and semi-finalist nominations in 2019 and 2020. Lashlee’s extensive experience as an offensive architect also includes roles as Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at UConn (2017), Arkansas State (2012), and Samford (2011). His coaching journey began with foundational graduate assistant positions at Auburn (2009-2010) and Arkansas (2006), where he honed the strategic acumen that defined his later success.