SMU Renews Lashlee Deal & Raises Salary for ACC

**SMU Solidifies Coaching Foundation with Lashlee Extension Ahead of ACC Transition**

DALLAS, TX – Southern Methodist University (SMU) secured its football future well in advance of its anticipated move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), signing Head Coach Rhett Lashlee to a significant multi-year contract extension and raise in March 2023. This strategic move, inked months before the official ACC announcement in September of that year, signals SMU’s unwavering commitment to its football program and positions Lashlee among the highest-paid coaches in the new conference.

The extension, a testament to Lashlee’s immediate impact and the university’s forward-thinking leadership, significantly boosted his annual salary, ensuring stability and competitive compensation as SMU prepares to join the ACC in 2024. While specific financial details were not publicly disclosed, reports at the time indicated a deal that places him firmly within the top tier of coaching salaries expected within the Power Four landscape.

SMU Athletic Director Rick Hart underscored the importance of securing Lashlee long-term. “Rhett has quickly proven to be the ideal leader for our football program,” Hart stated in a release following the initial reports of the extension. “His vision, his work ethic, and his ability to connect with our student-athletes and the Dallas community have laid a phenomenal foundation. This extension reflects our belief in his leadership as we embark on this exciting new chapter in the ACC.”

Lashlee, 41, has compiled an impressive 17-9 record in his first two seasons at the helm, culminating in an 11-3 campaign in 2023 that saw the Mustangs capture the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship – their first outright conference title in three decades. This performance, achieved in only his first major head coaching role, undoubtedly played a crucial role in the university’s decision to commit to him long-term. Prior to SMU, Lashlee built a strong reputation as an offensive coordinator at prominent programs such as Miami (FL) and Auburn.

The timing of the extension highlights SMU’s proactive approach. By finalizing the deal in March 2023, the university demonstrated a clear intent to invest heavily in its football program well before the official invitation to the ACC was extended six months later. This move is seen as a critical component of SMU’s broader strategy to thrive in the more competitive ACC environment, which includes substantial investments in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and enhanced facilities.

Lashlee expressed his gratitude and excitement for the future, saying, “I am incredibly thankful to President [R. Gerald] Turner and Rick Hart for their continued trust and support. Our staff and players have worked tirelessly to build a championship culture, and we’re just getting started. We are thrilled about the opportunity to compete in the ACC and are fully committed to bringing a championship-caliber program to Dallas.”

SMU’s entrance into the ACC marks a significant moment for the Dallas-based institution, signifying a return to a Power Conference affiliation for the first time since the dissolution of the Southwest Conference. Securing Lashlee with a long-term, competitive contract ensures continuity and reinforces the university’s ambition to not just participate but to compete at the highest level of college football in its new conference.