SMU and coach Rhett Lashlee are finalizing a new seven-year contract through the 2032 season, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday.

The agreement, which will extend Lashlee's current deal by two seasons, is expected to place him among the 10 highest-paid coaches in college football, sources said.

The deal will likely ensure Lashlee returns to SMU in 2026. He had been mentioned as a potential candidate for the coaching opening at Arkansas , his alma mater, as well as other vacancies in the South and Southeast. In November 2024, he agreed to an extension with SMU through 2030.

Lashlee guided SMU to the College Football Playoff last season in the team's first year as an ACC member. He is 34-15 at the school with an American Conference title in 2023 and an ACC runner-up finish last season

See Full Page