DALLAS, Texas — On Thursday, July 28th the American Athletic Conference hosted their virtual Football Media Day. SMU’s head coach Rhett Lashlee, as well as quarterback Tanner Mordecia and wide-receiver Rashee Rice, joined the conference to answer questions about their upcoming season.
The Mustangs 2021 season ended with a good deal of disappointment from the team and fans. Evident that it was time for a change, SMU hired the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from the University of Miami, Rhett Lashlee. Lashlee also served as the offensive coordinator for SMU from 2018-2019.
When asked why he felt it was the right time to return to SMU, Lashlee admitted it has always been his dream to be a head coach. “I know the potential of what we can be as a program.” Lashlee said, “This was the right fit and the right timing and I’m just humbled that I got the opportunity to come back here and be the head coach.”
Along with the hire of Lashlee, The Mustangs added 26 new players to their roster, twelve being high school and 14 being transfers.
“We do have some really good young talent here,” Lashlee said. “We have maybe not as much experience, but we do have guys that we think are athletic and after summer are getting bigger and stronger.”
A returner from last year’s season, quarter back Tanner Mordecia, is excited about the new coaching staff and changes that have been made. “I think Coach Lashlee brings in a new mentality,” Mordecai said. “He is very detail oriented, he has a competitive atmosphere and that is something he has brought to the table.”
Wide-receiver Rashee Rice is also hopeful about the new coaching staff, as well as the energy from the new players. “We are being able to start fresh and not think about the past years,” Rice said. “We are going to rebuild this team and start a way to the championship.”
