SMU: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2022–now

Rhett Lashlee Builder≈

Rhett Lashlee raised SMU from Regional Program I to National Program I.

2024 defense ranked in the 97th percentile nationally — elite

+13.8 pts over 5 seasons · top 2% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Nick Saban’s LSU run (2000–2004)

5th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Sonny Dykes (2018–2021).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Record & result
Record	7-6	11-3	11-3	9-4	6-2
Postseason	L bowl	L bowl	CFP loss	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#82	#72	#107	#31	#32
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	51.0	45.5	44.9	53.5	49.0
Coordinators
OC	Casey Woods	Casey Woods / Jonathan Brewer / Rob Likens	Casey Woods / Garin Justice / Rob Likens	Casey Woods / Garin Justice / Rob Likens	Garin Justice / Rob Likens
DC	Scott Symons	Scott Symons	Maurice Crum Jr. / Scott Symons / Rickey Hunley Jr.	Maurice Crum Jr. / Scott Symons / Rickey Hunley Jr.	Maurice Crum Jr. / Rickey Hunley Jr.
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	78	88	67	90	87
Defense	10	95	97	89	42
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	49.2	39.6	44.5	54.1	47.0
Red-zone pass%	41.1	35.0	32.8	44.2	37.5
4th-down go%opp. territory	51.1	33.3	21.6	22.9	50.0

Recruiter or developer?

Outperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+23.6 pts

#25 of 208 · top quarter

Defense vs. talent

+16.4 pts

#41 of 208 · top quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A portal-built roster.

Portal arrivals

3.1★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

#42 of 187 FBS stints

Notable portal arrivals with a modeled NIL value

PJ Williams On3 modeled · $1,000,000

On3’s modeled estimate (social reach / exposure), not money actually paid — shown per player, never totaled.

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

A typical class-year mix of incoming transfers.

Avg. size (raw)

6′2″, 242 lbs

across 78 of 97 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+6.9 lbs

#53 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#73 of 255 · middle half

Top states: TX (30), FL (11), GA (11), CA (3), CO (3)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

58.6

position-weighted

Talent lost

58.8

position-weighted

Net

-0.1

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Tyler Van Dyke (QB) from Wisconsin

Biggest loss: Tanner Mordecai (QB) to Wisconsin

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Casey Woods → Casey Woods / Jonathan Brewer (co) / Rob Likens (co) · 2023

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 49.2% → 39.6% (-9.6 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 42% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Casey Woods / Jonathan Brewer (co) / Rob Likens (co) → Casey Woods / Garin Justice (co) / Rob Likens (co) · 2024

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 39.6% → 44.5% (+4.9 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 92% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Casey Woods / Garin Justice (co) / Rob Likens (co) → Garin Justice (co) / Rob Likens (co) · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 54.1% → 47.0% (-7.1 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 57% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Scott Symons → Maurice Crum Jr. (co) / Scott Symons / Rickey Hunley Jr. (co) · 2024The defense leveled up

2-season window either side.

DC: Maurice Crum Jr. (co) / Scott Symons / Rickey Hunley Jr. (co) → Maurice Crum Jr. (co) / Rickey Hunley Jr. (co) · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

203 lbs

6′1″ avg · #639 of 767 · bottom quarter

Running back

201 lbs

5′11″ avg · #618 of 791 · bottom quarter

Wide receiver

192 lbs

6′0″ avg · #457 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

245 lbs

6′4″ avg · #359 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

308 lbs

6′5″ avg · #435 of 779 · middle half

D-line

294 lbs

6′3″ avg · #181 of 753 · top quarter

Edge

253 lbs

6′4″ avg · #101 of 188 · middle half

Linebacker

227 lbs

6′1″ avg · #445 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

189 lbs

6′0″ avg · #424 of 771 · middle half

Safety

194 lbs

5′11″ avg · #246 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Buys Athlete via the portal

25%

#17 of 146 stints

Buys D-line via the portal

73%

#24 of 239 stints

Postseason detail2022: Lost to BYU 23-24 New Mexico Bowl2023: Lost to Boston College 14-23 Wasabi Fenway Bowl2024: Lost to Penn State 10-38 College Football Playoff First Round Game Presented by Allstate2025: Beat Arizona 24-19 Trust & Will Holiday Bowl

4 NFL Draft picks: Rashee Rice (2023), Elijah Roberts (2025), Brashard Smith (2025), Matthew Hibner (2026)

AI Narratives — “SMU's Rise Into Dynasty Territory” and 19 more on the team page.

+13.8

44-18

2021

Jim Leavitt Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

0-0

2018–2021

Sonny Dykes Steady

Sonny Dykes moved SMU from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

+9.4 pts over 4 seasons · top 6% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Todd Graham’s Tulsa run (2007–2010)

11th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Chad Morris (2015–2017) · succeeded by Jim Leavitt (2021).

System Shift, on departure

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2018	2019	2020	2021
Record & result
Record	5-7	10-3	7-3	8-4
Postseason	—	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	#87	#68	#81	#53
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	53.8	48.5	50.0	52.6
Coordinators
OC	Rhett Lashlee	Rhett Lashlee	A. J. Ricker / Garrett Riley	A. J. Ricker / Garrett Riley
DC	Kevin Kane	Kevin Kane	Kevin Kane	Jim Leavitt
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	22	73	74	68
Defense	45	43	28	25
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	47.6	43.9	44.0	48.3
Red-zone pass%	48.6	45.4	49.1	39.3
4th-down go%opp. territory	45.2	47.1	33.3	37.1

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

+9.0 pts

#67 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-15.2 pts

#166 of 208 · bottom quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A typical amount of portal roster-building.

Portal arrivals

3.2★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

#83 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′3″, 239 lbs

across 9 of 14 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+4.0 lbs

#124 of 255 · middle half

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: TX (7), CA (1), HI (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

38.9

position-weighted

Talent lost

33.3

position-weighted

Net

+5.6

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Jahari Rogers (CB) from Florida

Biggest loss: Carson Welch (QB) to the portal

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

212 lbs

6′2″ avg · #402 of 767 · middle half

Running back

204 lbs

5′11″ avg · #533 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

196 lbs

6′1″ avg · #268 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

243 lbs

6′5″ avg · #463 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

303 lbs

6′5″ avg · #613 of 779 · bottom quarter

D-line

284 lbs

6′2″ avg · #376 of 753 · middle half

Edge

231 lbs

6′3″ avg · #186 of 188 · bottom quarter

Linebacker

222 lbs

6′1″ avg · #669 of 772 · bottom quarter

Cornerback

183 lbs

5′11″ avg · #685 of 771 · bottom quarter

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Buys Tight end via the portal

75%

#16 of 188 stints

Buys Athlete via the portal

14%

#32 of 146 stints

Grows Running back from high school

80%

#181 of 208 stints

Grows Linebacker from high school

83%

#183 of 225 stints

Postseason detail2019: Lost to Florida Atlantic 28-52 Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl

5 NFL Draft picks: James Proche (2020), Brandon Stephens (2021), Kylen Granson (2021), Danny Gray (2022), Grant Calcaterra (2022)

+9.4

30-18

2015–2017

Chad Morris Steady

Chad Morris held the Mustangs at Regional Program III for 3 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

+0.9 pts over 3 seasons · top 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Charlie Weatherbie’s Utah State run (1992–1994)

15th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed June Jones (2008–2014) · succeeded by Sonny Dykes (2018–2021).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2015	2016	2017
Record & result
Record	2-10	5-7	7-5
Postseason	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	#81	#75	#80
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	42.1	48.8	50.1
Coordinators
OC	Joe Craddock	Joe Craddock	Joe Craddock
DC	Van Malone	Van Malone	Van Malone
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	27	36	70
Defense	7	32	12
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	36.9	39.8	43.6
Red-zone pass%	34.5	40.0	39.8
4th-down go%opp. territory	40.6	18.6	32.6

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

-3.7 pts

#126 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-31.4 pts

#198 of 208 · bottom quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

3 NFL Draft picks: Courtland Sutton (2018), Justin Lawler (2018), Trey Quinn (2018)

+0.9

14-22

2008–2014

June Jones Steady≈

June Jones moved SMU from Regional Program V to Regional Program II in 7 seasons.

Averaged a 59% pass rate — among the most pass-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004

+11.7 pts over 7 seasons · top 13% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike Leach’s Washington State run (2012–2019)

12th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Phil Bennett (2002–2007) · succeeded by Chad Morris (2015–2017).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Record & result
Record	1-11	8-5	7-7	8-5	7-6	5-7	0-2
Postseason	—	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	#85	#73	#66	#67	#70	#72	#80
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	68.7	55.5	56.1	57.3	56.3	65.5	54.3
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	—	—	—	Dan Morrison / Jason Phillips
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	Tom Mason
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	23	80	93	53	25	64	5
Defense	25	40	36	56	73	46	13
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	69.7	52.9	55.6	58.6	53.6	66.5	55.7
Red-zone pass%	73.5	36.6	45.4	42.9	46.5	49.0	46.4
4th-down go%opp. territory	11.1	21.1	37.2	20.8	15.4	20.0	37.5

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2009: Beat Nevada 45-10 Bowl2010: Lost to Army 14-16 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl2011: Beat Pittsburgh 28-6 Bbva Compass Bowl2012: Beat Fresno State 43-10 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

10 NFL Draft picks: Thomas Morstead (2009), Emmanuel Sanders (2010), Aldrick Robinson (2011), Josh LeRibeus (2012), Taylor Thompson (2012), Richard Crawford (2012), Kelvin Beachum (2012), Margus Hunt (2013) + 2 more

+11.7

36-43

2002–2007

Phil Bennett Steady

Phil Bennett slid SMU from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 6 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

−5.3 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 20% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: George O'Leary’s Georgia Tech run (1994–2001)

16th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Mike Cavan (1997–2001) · succeeded by June Jones (2008–2014).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Record & result
Record	3-9	0-12	3-8	5-6	6-6	1-11
Postseason	—	—	—	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	#72	#63	#105	#85
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	46.1	43.8	43.9	47.9
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	50	35	50	58
Defense	—	—	28	60	42	31
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	42.9	30.9	40.7	46.3
Red-zone pass%	—	—	36.4	25.0	44.2	48.4
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	12.9	28.6	29.0

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

2 NFL Draft picks: Kevin Garrett (2003), Justin Rogers (2007)

−5.3

18-52

1997–2001

Mike Cavan Steady

Mike Cavan moved the Mustangs from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.

+1.3 pts over 5 seasons · top 28% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bobby Petrino’s Arkansas run (2008–2011, 2025)

14th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Tom Rossley (1991–1996) · succeeded by Phil Bennett (2002–2007).

3 NFL Draft picks: Chris Bordano (1998), Donald Mitchell (1999), Jacoby Rhinehart (1999)

+1.3

22-34

1991–1996

Tom Rossley Steady

Tom Rossley slid the Mustangs from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.

−10.5 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 4% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike Norvell’s Florida State run (2020–now)

13th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Forrest Gregg (1989–1990) · succeeded by Mike Cavan (1997–2001).

1 NFL Draft pick: Marcello Simmons (1993)

−10.5

15-48-3

1989–1990

Forrest Gregg Short tenure

3-19

1982–1986

Bobby Collins Builder≈

Bobby Collins raised SMU from National Program II to Power Program II.

+13.6 pts over 5 seasons · top 3% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Lane Kiffin’s Florida Atlantic run (2017–2019)

1st-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Ron Meyer (1976–1981) · succeeded by Forrest Gregg (1989–1990).

Season	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986
Record & result
Record	11-0-1	10-2	10-2	6-5	6-5
Postseason	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1982: Beat Pittsburgh 7-3 Bowl1983: Lost to Alabama 7-28 Bowl1984: Beat Notre Dame 27-20 Bowl

15 NFL Draft picks: Eric Dickerson (1983), Wes Hopkins (1983), Gary Moten (1983), Craig James (1983), Russell Carter (1984), Rickey Bolden (1984), Michael Carter (1984), Mitch Willis (1984) + 7 more

+13.6

43-14-1

1976–1981

Ron Meyer Steady

Ron Meyer moved SMU from National Program III to National Program II in 6 seasons.

+2.6 pts over 6 seasons · top 50% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Al Groh’s Virginia run (2001–2009)

8th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Dave Smith (1973–1975) · succeeded by Bobby Collins (1982–1986).

Season	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981
Record & result
Record	3-8	4-7	4-6-1	5-6	8-4	10-1
Postseason	—	—	—	—	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1980: Lost to BYU 45-46 Bowl

6 NFL Draft picks: Arthur Whittington (1978), Emanuel Tolbert (1980), John Simmons (1981), Lee Spivey (1981), Perry Hartnett (1982), Harvey Armstrong (1982)

+2.6

34-32-1

1973–1975

Dave Smith Steady

Dave Smith held the Mustangs at National Program III for 3 seasons.

−0.1 pts over 3 seasons · top 34% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jim Hofher’s Buffalo run (2001–2005)

10th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Hayden Fry (1962–1972) · succeeded by Ron Meyer (1976–1981).

4 NFL Draft picks: Louie Kelcher (1975), Oscar Roan (1975), Henry Sheppard (1976), Wayne Morris (1976)

−0.1

16-15-2

1962–1972

Hayden Fry Steady

Hayden Fry slid SMU from National Program II to National Program III in 11 seasons.

−6.5 pts over 11 seasons · bottom 9% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rick Stockstill’s Middle Tennessee run (2006–2023)

9th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Meek (1957–1961) · succeeded by Dave Smith (1973–1975).

−6.5

49-66-1

1957–1961

Bill Meek Steady

Bill Meek slid the Mustangs from Power Program III to National Program I in 5 seasons.

−7.0 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 25% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: George Chaump’s Navy run (1990–1994)

7th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Chalmer Woodward (1953–1956) · succeeded by Hayden Fry (1962–1972).

−7.0

17-29-4

1953–1956

Chalmer Woodward Steady

Chalmer Woodward slid the Mustangs from Power Program II to Power Program III in 4 seasons.

−5.7 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 32% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Carl Torbush’s North Carolina run (1998–2000)

4th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed H.N. Russell (1950–1952) · succeeded by Bill Meek (1957–1961).

−5.7

19-20-1

1950–1952

H.N. Russell Steady

H.N. Russell held SMU at Power Program II for 3 seasons.

−2.8 pts over 3 seasons · top 48% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mick Dennehy’s Utah State run (2000–2004)

2nd-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Madison Bell (1945–1949) · succeeded by Chalmer Woodward (1953–1956).

−2.8

13-15-2

1936–1941, 1945–1949

Madison Bell Steady

Madison Bell held SMU at Power Program II for 11 seasons.

3rd-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Succeeded by James Stewart (1942–1944) · returned in 1945 · succeeded by H.N. Russell (1950–1952).

Power Program II

67-39-8

1942–1944

James Stewart Steady

James Stewart slid SMU from Power Program III to National Program I in 3 seasons.

−7.8 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 21% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Chuck Long’s San Diego State run (2006–2008)

6th-best SMU tenure of 16 by the numbers.

Followed Madison Bell (1936–1941) · succeeded by Madison Bell (1945–1949).

−7.8

10-18-2