How Rhett Lashlee and Kevin Jennings Turned SMU’s ACC Debut into a Historic Season
SMU COACH RHETT Lashlee might owe his sleepless first week on the job for what has become a historic season for the Mustangs. It’s a story of grit, determination, and a little bit of serendipity that has propelled SMU to unprecedented heights in their first year in the ACC.
Lashlee was hired on Nov. 30, 2021, just two weeks before signing day. His to-do list was overwhelming: re-recruit players committed to the previous coach, Sonny Dykes (who left for TCU), convince his own roster to stay, and add finishing touches to the recruiting class. All this while transitioning from his role as offensive coordinator at Miami.
On his first Friday night as head coach, Lashlee found himself at The Star in Frisco, Texas, watching South Oak Cliff take on Lovejoy. He was there to scout underclassmen already on SMU’s radar, but one player stole the show: South Oak Cliff quarterback Kevin Jennings. At 6 feet and 175 pounds, Jennings wasn’t the most physically imposing player, but his poise, leadership, and arm strength left a lasting impression.
Jennings’ performance that night was electric: 18 of 25 for 250 yards and a touchdown, plus four carries for 29 yards and two rushing scores. South Oak Cliff dominated Lovejoy 42-21. The week prior, Jennings had led his team to a stunning upset over Aledo, a Texas high school football powerhouse with 11 state titles in 15 years.
Despite his success, Jennings had just one college offer—from Bobby Petrino at Missouri State—and was committed there. Critics labeled him a “game manager” and questioned his size and ability to play quarterback at the next level. But Jennings, who had been playing quarterback since age 7, was determined to prove them wrong.
“I was with Casey Woods, our offensive coordinator,” Lashlee recalled. “I didn’t know what was up from down. I’d been the head coach for maybe a week. I finally had a minute to just go mindlessly watch a game and do what’s normal. And we’re standing there, and about midway through the second quarter, I looked at Casey and go, ‘What am I missing about this quarterback?’ So that was the moment.”
By the next week, Lashlee had offered Jennings a scholarship. Jennings visited SMU that weekend and committed. Shortly after, he led South Oak Cliff to its first state championship since 1958, cementing his status as a winner.
“He was just as calm and level-headed the whole game,” Lashlee said. “He would come to the sidelines, take his helmet off, and you could just tell he commanded the respect of his guys. He spoke, they listened. He’d make a big play, act like he’s supposed to do it. A bad play would happen, he’d move on to the next. You could just sense he’s a leader and a winner.”
Jennings’ Impact on SMU’s Historic Season
Since taking over for Preston Stone after an 18-15 loss in SMU’s third game—its only loss this season—Jennings has led the Mustangs to a 9-0 record. They’ve scored 30 or more points in eight of those games, going undefeated in their first year in the ACC. This feat is unprecedented for a team moving up from the Group of 5 level.
SMU, picked seventh in the ACC preseason poll, defied expectations with an 11-1 season and now sits at No. 8 in the rankings, the highest-ranked team in the ACC. A win over Clemson on Saturday (8 ET, ABC) would give SMU its first ACC title and its first 12-win season since 1935.
- SMU has won 11 games in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history.
- The Mustangs are the first team to go undefeated in their first year in a Power 5 conference.
- Jennings, a Dallas native, has a 10-1 record as a starter.
“It means a lot just to come out every week to play in front of my family, to be able to stay here and not be too far from home,” Jennings said. “It means a lot. I have the community on my back.”
Building a Championship Defense
Lashlee’s vision extended beyond offense. Early in his tenure, he recruited Scott Symons, Liberty’s defensive coordinator, to join his staff. Symons, a Texas native, brought toughness and a championship-caliber defensive mindset to SMU.
In Lashlee’s first year, SMU’s defense ranked 119th nationally, allowing 33.9 points per game. But with Symons’ system and upgraded talent, the Mustangs improved to 11th in points allowed last year (17.8 per game). This season, despite moving to the ACC, they’ve held opponents to 19.8 points per game, ranking 19th nationally and first in the conference.
Notable defensive stats:
- Allowed just 2.8 yards per carry, third-best in the country.
- Ranked 16th nationally in completion percentage allowed (56.1%).
- Ranked 18th in quarterback pressures despite blitzing on just 23.3% of plays.
SMU also added 18 Power 4 transfers this offseason, including players from Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas A&M. “Scott and what they’ve done defensively is a big part of it,” Lashlee said. “Changing the defense while also keeping a good offense has been big.”
The Rise of Brashard Smith
One of the season’s biggest surprises has been Brashard Smith. Originally a receiver at Miami, Smith transitioned to running back at SMU after injuries to key players. He’s rushed for 1,157 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 6 yards per carry. His 1,667 all-purpose yards rank seventh in the FBS and fourth in SMU history for a single season.
“For him to come in, never played running back before, it’s crazy,” Jennings said. “But you see how dynamic he is. He can do everything.”
Looking Ahead
As SMU prepares for its ACC Championship showdown with Clemson, Lashlee reflects on the journey. “I’ve been blessed to coach in two national championship games and do a lot of really cool things,” he said. “And to me, what would be really special is getting a school like SMU back on the stage where Eric Dickerson and others had us, [like] playing in a College Football Playoff or winning an ACC championship. Let’s do something we haven’t done in a long time.”
Originally Written by: David M. Hale
