SMU, Lashlee near extension deal

Jeff Hauser

•

SMU, Rhett Lashlee reportedly close to finalizing extension image

TL;DR

* SMU and coach Rhett Lashlee are finalizing a new seven-year contract through 2032.
* The extension will make Lashlee one of the top ten highest-paid college football coaches.
* Lashlee led SMU to the College Football Playoff last season in their first ACC year.
* He has fielded interest from other programs, including Arkansas and Florida.

SMU and coach Rhett Lashlee are finalizing a new seven-year contract through the 2032 season, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

The agreemen will extend Lashlee's current deal by two years and bump him in the top ten of college football highest-paid coaches.

Like many other extensions during this season, the deal will likely keep Lashlee at SMU beyond 2026. His name was mentioned on several short lists around the college football landscape, including at his alma mater, Arkansas, as well as Florida. 0

Rhett Lashlee and SMU are finalizing a 2-year extension and raise to make him one of the top-10 highest-paid coaches in the country, sources tell @YahooSports.

In his fourth season, Lashlee is 34-15 and led Mustangs to the CFP last season. He’s fielded interest from other jobs.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 1, 2025

This is his second extension with SMU in a calendar year. Lashlee guided SMU to the College Football Playoff last season in the team's first year as a member of the ACC

Lashlee was a longtime assistant before taking over at SMU. He'll be looking to build out the program with many resource at his disposal. Better recruiting in the heart of Texas with big time NIL efforts.

SMU hosts No. 10 Miami Hurricanes on Saturday (Noon ET, ESPN).

Additional college football updates:

Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.