Rhett Lashlee has amassed a hefty net worth as a professional American college football coach.
At the 2025 ACC Media Days, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee delivered a confident and energized message about his program’s rise.
After making the college Football Playoff in SMU’s first full season with the ACC, he took time to reflect on the university’s growth and the opportunities ahead.
Lashlee pointed to the program’s back-to-back 11-win seasons, along with record-breaking ticket sales, as evidence of SMU’s growing stature on the national scene.
He also highlighted that the Mustangs achieved a program-best 2.95 GPA in the spring semester and that the 2025 recruiting class is ranked 31st nationally, boasting five four-star recruits, which is also a school record. He said,
“I think it’s the best city in America,” “It deserves a big-time college football team… and our guys have given the city that.”
Rhett Lashlee
When asked about SMU’s transition into the ACC, Lashlee said,
“There’s no question our league has separated itself as one of the top three in America,”
Rhett Lashlee
He also noted that the current 12-team format adds value, especially with on-campus games. But he argued that an expanded field would bring more fan engagement.
Lashlee was critical of the CFP committee format, saying that no other major sport in the U.S. uses a committee to determine its playoff participants. He said,
“It’s set up for failure because there’s human bias,”
Rhett Lashlee
Altogether, his appearance at ACC Media Days captured the optimism and ambition surrounding SMU football as it embraces a new era and aims even higher.
SMU Football Coach Rhett Lashlee Has A Net Worth In Millions
According to reports, Rhett Lashlee has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million as of 2025.
USA Today reported that Rhett’s annual salary was around $2,360,640 in 2024. Some sources claimed that Rhett is one of the lowest-paid coaches in the ACC.
Throughout his three-year tenure at SMU, his contract and salary have been closely guarded secrets, despite signing a contract extension in late November 2024 following his incredible success this fall.
Reports suggest that his new deal with SMU keeps him in Dallas until 2030.
Some sources claimed that he extended the contract with SMU for $4 million.
While Rhett has kept his property details private, it is known that he owns a lavish house in Miami, where he resides with his wife and children.
Rhett Lashlee’s Journey From High School Player To College Coach
Rhett Lashlee is from Springdale, Arkansas, United States, and attended Shiloh Christian School, where he played quarterback under the guidance of head coach Gus Malzahn.
He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was a backup quarterback to Matt Jones from 2002 to 2004 for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
However, a shoulder injury ended his playing career.
In 2006, Lashlee was hired as an offensive graduate assistant by the Arkansas Razorbacks. Later, he joined Samford University as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2011.
He was hired by Arkansas State University as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2012.
On December 6, 2012, he joined Auburn University, and in 2017, he joined the University of Connecticut.
He was hired as the quarterbacks coach at Southern Methodist University in 2018. In 2020, he joined the University of Miami and worked under the head coach Manny Diaz.
On November 30, 2021, Lashlee was named head coach at SMU, replacing Sonny Dykes after his departure to become the head coach at Texas Christian University.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Rhett Lashlee was born to his parents, Judy and Phil Phillips. His parents divorced when he was 5.
- He is married to Laureen Lashlee, and they have four children together.
