Rhett Lashlee, the head coach of the Southern Methodist Mustangs, solidified his position in college football with an impressive victory over the Miami Hurricanes this past weekend. The win, coming after a disappointing performance against Wake Forest, not only showcased Lashlee”s coaching acumen but also led to a contract extension that places him among the ten highest-paid coaches in the sport.
In a roundtable discussion featuring writers Lia Assimakopoulos, Shawn McFarland, and Kevin Sherrington, the trio addressed the significant wins for local teams, including Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and North Texas. Each team had notable performances, but the focus on Lashlee”s Mustangs was particularly pronounced.
Assimakopoulos expressed her view that SMU”s rebound against Miami was the most impressive of the weekend, especially given the challenges faced during the game. Despite struggles in the running game and a missed field goal, the Mustangs managed to overcome adversity, which included their starting quarterback playing through an injury.
McFarland highlighted Oklahoma“s critical win, noting the significance of the victory for head coach Brent Venables, who was under pressure heading into the game. This perspective added depth to the conversation about what constitutes an impressive win in the current college football landscape.
As for Arch Manning, the young quarterback for Texas, he demonstrated marked improvement, throwing for substantial yardage and touchdowns in recent games. The panel noted that his performance can be attributed not only to his talent but also to the evolving support from his offensive line and surrounding players.
Turning back to Lashlee, he has transformed SMU into a contender within the American Athletic Conference, achieving a level of success that was not present prior to his arrival. His ability to attract top-notch recruits and develop players amidst a climate of frequent transfers is a testament to his coaching skills. While some may argue he is not yet in the elite tier of coaches, he is certainly making a case for inclusion alongside names like Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian.
The roundtable discussion concluded with thoughts on the prospects for local teams in the upcoming College Football Playoff rankings. While teams like Texas A&M and Texas Tech are expected to perform well, the committee”s perception of wins against teams like Oklahoma and Vanderbilt will be crucial for SMU”s positioning.
Overall, Rhett Lashlee”s trajectory as a coach is on the rise, and with continued success, he could firmly establish himself as one of the top coaches in college football.
