SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee was named Super 11 Coach of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) on April 9. The award is presented annually and recognizes coaches for their accessibility and cooperation with media.
The recognition highlights Lashlee’s leadership during a season in which SMU won the Holiday Bowl, marking its first bowl victory since 2012. His tenure has seen him secure 38 wins, setting a record for most victories by an SMU head coach in their first four years.
One Atlantic Coast Conference beat writer said of Lashlee: “I would vote for SMU, quite frankly. They bend over backward to make folks available and is a dream to deal with, in my estimation.” The FWAA considers both coach and player access when selecting recipients for this award.
Lashlee becomes the eighth head coach to receive this honor since it began in the 2018 season. Previous winners include Herm Edwards (Arizona State), Chris Klieman (Kansas State), Tom Allen (Indiana), Jeff Hafley (Boston College), Sonny Dykes (TCU), Mike Norvell (Florida State), and Ryan Day (Ohio State).
This marks the second time SMU has been recognized by the FWAA; previously, it received the Super 11 Award as one of the top-performing College Sports Communicators departments in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in 2013. The FWAA evaluates press box operations based on neutrality, noise level, accessibility, and other factors that impact media work during games.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America includes journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers, and executives involved with college football. It oversees media access policies and presents several awards each year.
