SMU has signed coach Rhett Lashlee to a contract extension, with sources confirming to ESPN that the new seven-year deal is set to make him among the 10 highest-paid coaches in college football.
The extension, which extends the current contract by two seasons and runs through 2032, 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.
"SMU is a special place in our family," Lashlee said in a statement. "We are so excited for the opportunity to continue the process of building our program on the national stage."
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.
Lashlee, 42, had been an offensive coordinator at Miami, SMU, UConn, Auburn and Samford before replacing Sonny Dykes as the Mustangs' head coach. SMU made significant financial commitments to enter the ACC and remain a CFP contender.
SMU, in its homecoming game, will host No. 10 Miami on Saturday.
Yahoo Sports first reported details of the agreement between SMU and Lashlee.