Lashlee Agrees to Extension, Will Remain at SMU

Despite being on numerous hot boards for openings around the country, Mustangs' coach opts to stay put, lead Ponies into ACC era

DALLAS (SMU) – It looks like SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee will be in Dallas for years to come following the announcement of a contract extension Monday morning.

"We are excited to announce this extension with Coach Lashlee to keep him on the Hilltop for years to come," athletics director Rick Hart said. "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."

The opportunity for an automatic promotion to Power Four head coaching status isn't lost on Lashlee either. It's a challenge he says he's looking forward to taking on.

"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."

Because SMU is a private institution, the athletics department doesn't have to disclose specific details. Considering over $100 million was raised in a single week to help financially support the move to the ACC and so many schools turned their eye to Lashlee as jobs began to open over the past week or so, it's assumed to be a rather significant upgrade over his initial contract.

In his second season as head coach, Lashlee has the Mustangs competing for their first conference championship in 40 years. They're currently ranked No. 25 in the AP poll after a 59-14 win over Navy. Should they knock off No. 17 Tulane in the AAC championship game Saturday, they will be in contention for the Group of Five spot in a New Year's Six bowl that goes to the highest ranked non-Power Five winner.

Lashlee is currently 7-1 in November as a head coach, giving him the highest winning percentage of any head coach in the program's history in the final month of the season.

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PONY EXPRESS:

MUSTANGS BACK IN TOP 25 LATEST THEY'VE BEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME

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PONIES' QUARTERBACK PRESTON STONE GOES DOWN WITH SERIOUS-LOOKING INJURY IN SECOND QUARTER

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