College Football Coaching Carousel
Now that Bobby Petrino has wormed his way back into the job at Arkansas, with Jerry Jones’ blessing, no less, maybe Rhett Lashlee won’t be forced to decide between SMU and home.
He could also ask Ken Hatfield what it was like going back to Fayetteville to coach.
Or he could ask himself which playoff path is easier:
Beating out Clemson, Miami or Florida State?
Sports Roundup
Or plowing through the SEC?
One of the benefits of ACC membership is it keeps a coach from looking around. Sonny Dykes, for example. Maybe he’d have remained on the Hilltop instead of moving 40 miles west if the Mustangs had been anchored in a power conference.
Plus, I’m not so sure SMU doesn’t have as many billionaires willing to go for their wallets as Arkansas does, unless the Waltons decide to tip the balance.
Related News
Related
Amid reports putting him at the top of his alma mater’s shopping list, Lashlee told The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday he’s “happy,” has a “great job” and said the speculation about his Arkansas prospects “probably isn’t going anywhere.”
Of course, that’s not saying speculation won’t linger, either. Getting your name tossed around in national forums is never bad for your long-term prospects. A coach is only as good as his or her leverage. Lashlee is signed up through 2030, but loyalty works both ways. A couple of bad years, and you’d better believe SMU might start looking around.
Rhett Lashlee’s Decision
Otherwise, there’s always the possibility that Lashlee likes the idea of going home. He grew up just outside Fayetteville in Springdale, where his coach at Shiloh Christian School was Gus Malzahn, who ran the Razorbacks’ offense in 2006. Lashlee also coached under Malzahn at Auburn and Arkansas State, so you could see how an opening in the hills might make him nostalgic.
But these things have a way of working out poorly, as Thomas Wolfe would tell you. For every Bear Bryant answering mama’s call, a dozen Ken Hatfields should have just hung up.
Before going back to his alma mater, Hatfield had already carved out a nice place for himself in Razorback lore with an epic 81-yard punt return against Texas in Arkansas’ ‘64 championship season. He won a lot of games in Fayetteville, but, by the time fans tired of his bowl record and Flexbone offense, he’d worn out his welcome as well as his legacy.
Twitter/X: @KSherringtonDMN
Find more SMU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rhett Lashlee’s decision to stay at SMU or go back to his alma mater, Arkansas, is a complex one. While there are benefits to staying in the ACC, the lure of going home and coaching in the SEC may be too great to resist. Ultimately, the decision will depend on Lashlee’s personal preferences and priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Rhett Lashlee?
A: Rhett Lashlee is the current head coach of the SMU Mustangs football team.
Q: What is the speculation about Rhett Lashlee’s future?
A: There is speculation that Lashlee may leave SMU to become the head coach at his alma mater, Arkansas.
Q: What are the benefits of staying in the ACC?
A: One of the benefits of ACC membership is that it keeps a coach from looking around, as seen in the case of Sonny Dykes. Additionally, the ACC may have more billionaires willing to support the team financially.
Q: What is the risk of going back to one’s alma mater?
A: The risk of going back to one’s alma mater is that it may not work out, as seen in the case of Ken Hatfield. Hatfield had a successful career at Arkansas, but his return to the school as head coach did not end well.
