The Zeitgeist List · coaching

SMU: a football coaching history

National Program I#34 of 138–
See SMU’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Bobby Collins
Peaked at Power Program II
Built by
Rhett Lashlee
Regional Program I → National Program I (+13.8)
The fall
Tom Rossley
Regional Program I → Regional Program IV (−10.5)
Right now
Rhett Lashlee
the 5th-best of SMU's 16 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)BellMeekFryMeyerCollinsRossleyCavanBennettJonesLashlee19401960198020002020

Every coach

2022–now
Rhett Lashleebuilder
Rhett Lashlee raised SMU from Regional Program I to National Program I.
+13.8
38–16
2021–2021
Jim Leavittshort tenure
0–0
2018–2021
Sonny Dykescaretaker
Sonny Dykes moved SMU from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
+9.4
30–17
2015–2017
Chad Morriscaretaker
Chad Morris held SMU at Regional Program III for 3 seasons.
Regional Program III
14–23
2008–2014
June Jonescaretaker
June Jones moved SMU from Regional Program V to Regional Program II in 7 seasons.
+11.7
36–43
2002–2007
Phil Bennettcaretaker
Phil Bennett held SMU at Regional Program IV for 6 seasons.
Regional Program IV
18–52
1997–2001
Mike Cavancaretaker
Mike Cavan moved SMU from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.
Regional Program III
22–34
1991–1996
Tom Rossleycaretaker
Tom Rossley slid SMU from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.
−10.5
15–48
1989–1990
Forrest Greggshort tenure
3–19
1982–1986
Bobby Collinsbuilder
Bobby Collins raised SMU from National Program II to Power Program II.
+13.6
43–14
1976–1981
Ron Meyercaretaker
Ron Meyer moved SMU from National Program III to National Program II in 6 seasons.
National Program II
34–32
1973–1975
Dave Smithcaretaker
Dave Smith held SMU at National Program III for 3 seasons.
National Program III
16–15
1962–1972
Hayden Frycaretaker
Hayden Fry held SMU at National Program II for 11 seasons.
National Program II
49–66
1957–1961
Bill Meekcaretaker
Bill Meek slid SMU from Power Program III to National Program I in 5 seasons.
National Program I
17–29
1953–1956
Chalmer Woodwardcaretaker
Chalmer Woodward slid SMU from Power Program II to Power Program III in 4 seasons.
Power Program III
19–20
1950–1952
H.N. Russellcaretaker
H.N. Russell held SMU at Power Program II for 3 seasons.
Power Program II
13–15
1942–1944
James Stewartcaretaker
James Stewart slid SMU from Power Program III to National Program I in 3 seasons.
National Program I
10–18
1936–1949
Madison Bellcaretaker
Madison Bell held SMU at Power Program II for 11 seasons.
Power Program II
67–39