It seems Rhett Lashlee will remain with SMU.
Information obtained by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger suggests Lashlee is nearing the completion of a contract extension with the Mustangs, a deal that would position him among the nation’s top ten highest-paid coaches.
Lashlee might have been considered for various vacant positions within prominent power conferences during this coaching period, with Florida, LSU, and Penn State currently in search of new head coaches. However, he is set to receive a substantial pay increase at SMU. According to the coaching salary information provided by USA Today, Lashlee’s salary for 2025 was the 65th highest in the nation, amounting to just over $2.5 million.
Lane Kiffin, ranked as the No. 10 coach nationally, earned $9 million in 2025.
SMU is currently in its second year within the ACC and recently experienced its first regular-season ACC defeat in Week 9, with a narrow 13-12 loss against Wake Forest. The Mustangs achieved an undefeated record of 8-0 against conference opponents in 2024, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff, and maintained a 3-0 record before their recent loss to the Demon Deacons.
This defeat has lowered SMU’s overall record to 5-3, preceding a significant game against No. 10 Miami on Saturday. Both the Hurricanes and the Mustangs are closely trailing Georgia Tech and Virginia in terms of losses. The outcome of Saturday’s game will likely eliminate the losing team from contention for the ACC title.
Prior to accepting the SMU position before the 2022 season, Lashlee served as the offensive coordinator at Miami for two seasons. He had previously been the offensive coordinator at SMU in 2018 and 2019 before his time at Miami. As a former quarterback for Arkansas, he has also coached at Arkansas State, Auburn, and UConn.
During Lashlee’s tenure as head coach, SMU has achieved a record of 34-15. Following a 7-6 record in his initial season, SMU achieved an 11-3 record in 2023, marking their final season in the American Conference before transitioning to the ACC. This move was made possible through donations from the school’s benefactors, who agreed to cover the media rights fees forfeited by the school.
