SMU and coach Rhett Lashlee are finalizing a new seven-year contract through the 2032 season, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The new agreement, which extends Lashlee's current deal by two seasons, is expected to place him among the 10 highest-paid coaches in college football, according to sources.
The deal likely will ensure Lashlee returns to SMU in 2026. He had been mentioned as a potential candidate for the coach opening at Arkansas, his alma mater, as well as other vacancies in the South and Southeast. In November 2024, he agreed to a contract extension with SMU through 2030.