Musselman to SMU Isn’t as Far Fetched Like Many Think

Mustangs aren't athletics program most Razorbacks fans recall

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman reacts to a call during the game. / Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When SMU fired its second-year coach Rob Lanier Thursday, one name came as a surprise to Arkansas fans, per ESPN. 
Eric Musselman. 

To some there was disbelief Arkansas would willingly let its coach walk to Dallas and take a lower job. Most people 35 and younger think of the Mustangs’ athletics department's main two sports as bottom dwellers.

SMU football had two winning seasons from 1990-2009 after the death penalty. Since then, it's had nine winning seasons and claimed an AAC championship this past year to carry former Arkansas quarterback Rhett Lashlee’s team into the ACC.

For basketball, the Mustangs have only received five bids to the NCAA Tournament since 1985. Firing a coach like Lanier despite doubling the previous year's win total is a large move. It shows SMU is committed to winning and believes Musselman and other top targets can bring elite success to the Park Cities.

Be wary of top candidates at the beginning of coach searches. Like Arkansas, the majority of schools never land the top choice, let alone third or fourth. Musselman could be playing with an extension at Arkansas while keeping a low buyout of $1 million. Or, he could be chomping at the bit to leave considering his rich history of not staying anywhere long. 

The question most are asking is why SMU, so here’s a few reasons why Musselman it's a possible landing spot. 

NIL

SMU has always been a wealthy school. Noted earlier, boosters had their own collective for players before NIL was cool. Most of the dollars were spent on paying football players under the table.

Former Mustangs coach Dave Bliss was around during those Pony Express days. His teams had moderate success in the 80’s including three 20-win seasons and three NCAA Tournament bids. 

Of course, there were accusations of paying players but the NCAA chose not to pursue an investigation because of the death penalty assessed to SMU’s football team. 

In 2022, SMU’s Boulevard Collective vowed to spend $3.5 million a year, per Dallas Morning News. That included $36,000 per year to football and basketball players.

Monetary commitment like that likely catches Musselman’s eye a bit. 

Dallas market

Being in the fifth largest TV market has to be appealing to the Musselman family. The limelight of Dallas-Ft. Worth could bring opportunities for his wife, Danyelle, to return to broadcasting. Then, packing out Moody Coliseum when the Mustangs compete against ACC schools would lure anyone. 

Next season, SMU will host Cal, Virginia and Stanford in home only contests. While playing home-and-home’s with Pitt, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Duke, Louisville and Syracuse.

Ability To Recruit Texas

During his time at Arkansas, Musselman has shown a strong ability to recruit Texas in the prep ranks. Anthony Black will always be his biggest star as he was chosen with the sixth pick in last year’s NBA Draft. 

The 6-foot-7, 200 pound athlete from powerhouse Duncanville, a Dallas suburb, had a bigger impact for the Razorbacks in the scoring column than expected with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game.

Dallas native Jordan Walsh was selected with the No. 38 pick in the same draft. His length and athleticism combined with growth as an offensive role player helped him solidify a role as a starter last season. He ended up averaging seven points and four rebounds per game last season.

Walsh has made sporadic appearances with the Celtics since signing last July. He floated around the G-League and NBA in his rookie season.

Current signee Jalen Shelley committed to Arkansas while a student at Link Academy in Branson. Shelley, a 6-foot-9 forward, is from Frisco, Texas, a suburb just north of Dallas, and played for Plano Prestonwood Christian. As a junior, he helped his team secure a Texas 6A state basketball championship.

Shelley averaged 18 points, six rebounds and three assists per game. He was named first team 6A All-State and second team All-Area by Dallas Morning News before going to Link as a senior.

It’s certainly early in the process and plenty of changes can happen. Musselman’s name being linked in the beginning of a coach search can be a major fire or smokescreen. Welcome to the coaching carousel!