When SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee met with reporters this week, most of the conversation centered on the Mustangs’ reset heading into conference play. But in the final minutes, the questions shifted to Fayetteville, where Arkansas had just fired head coach Sam Pittman.
Given Lashlee’s background as a former Razorback quarterback, his name was immediately linked to the opening. He didn’t shy away from the topic, but he also didn’t exactly pour gasoline on the speculation.
“I don’t stand anywhere on speculation and hypotheticals,” Lashlee said. “I’m happy. I’ve got a great job. I think when your name gets linked to jobs, it means your team has done well, the program has done well. And then a lot of times there’s obvious connections. I mean, if it’s your alma mater, it’s easy to link names. But I haven’t given it any thought because there hasn’t been anything to give thought to.”
See y'all on The Boulevard on Saturday ☺️ pic.twitter.com/OyA3fRI2tI
— SMU Football (@SMUFB) September 30, 2025
For now, Lashlee insists the only job on his mind is the one in Dallas. SMU sits at 2–2 after non-conference play, with a sold-out Family Weekend game against Syracuse looming. He pointed to what’s being built in the Metroplex as proof his focus is squarely on the Mustangs.
“We’ve begun to build something really fun, and what we can build is even more special,” Lashlee said. “We’ve got a top 25 recruiting class in 2026 and a lot of guys on this roster that can come back. Those are the guys we’re focused on.”
Still, Lashlee acknowledged the realities of the coaching business. He knows his name won’t stop surfacing as long as the Razorbacks’ job remains open. “Internally, we haven’t said a word about it ’cause in my world, nothing’s going on. Outside the world, there’s a lot of speculation and that’s part of our business. It’s probably not going anywhere.”
SMU fans will like the sound of their head coach doubling down on what’s being built. Arkansas fans will read between the lines. Lashlee didn’t slam the door and that may keep the speculation simmering well beyond this week.
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