SMU’s February Frenzy: Shocking Coaching Moves and Unexpected Combine Surprises Shake Jerryworld

Symons rewrote the script. In year two at the helm, the defensive coordinator who arrived from Liberty, guided the Mustangs to the 11th-best scoring defense in the country — the necessary improvement SMU needed to claim its first conference championship since 1984. Even amidst the American Conference to ACC transition the following year, the Mustangs retained their stout defense, ranking top seven in the country in sacks and run defense, all while qualifying for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

Rather than name a single replacement to Symons, SMU targeted a committee approach. Head coach Rhett Lashlee appointed Maurice Crum Jr. and Rickey Hunley Jr. as co-defensive coordinators for 2026. Crum has served as the Mustangs’ linebackers coach since 2023 and even held a co-defensive coordinator role during the 2024 CFP run. Hunley has been on staff since Lashlee arrived for the 2022 season, operating as a cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator. In 2026, the pairing aims to lead SMU to its fourth-straight season finishing top 35 in scoring defense.

Four Mustangs invited to NFL Combine

SMU continues to increase its presence at the NFL Draft. The Mustangs already have eight draft selections in the 2020s decade, and another batch may be on the way. SMU is tied for 27th among all FBS programs and tied for third in the ACC with four invites to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The Mustangs’ Combine invites include wide receiver Jordan Hudson, tight ends RJ Maryland and Matthew Hibner, and free safety Ahmaad Moses.