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BREAKING: SMU announces staff changes

On3 imageby: Billy Embody01/03/24BillyEmbody
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DALLAS (SMU) – SMU Football Head Coach Rhett Lashlee announced on-field staff changes for Kyle Cooper and Sam Dunnam on Wednesday.

Cooper heads to the offensive side of the ball as the running backs coach, while also continuing his role as special teams coordinator. Cooper has been a staple in Lashlee’s coaching career, also spending time with him at Miami (2020-21) along with a previous stint with the Mustangs (2018-19) and at UConn (2017).

A former two-time team captain at Robert Morris, Cooper oversaw one of the most successful special teams seasons in recent memory, resulting in the three all-conference selections in kicker Collin Rogers (first team), return specialist Roderick Daniels Jr. (second team), and punter Ryan Bujcevski (third team).

Prior to the 2023 season, Cooper was named to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 40 Under 40 List. He was also recognized by 247Sports in its 30 Under 30 list back in 2021. 

Cooper was part of the 2019 Mustang offense that set school records for scoring (544), scoring average (41.8), total yards per game (489.8), rushing touchdowns (35), and total touchdowns (73).

Dunnam got promoted to on-field defensive assistant and edges coach after serving this past season as the senior defensive quality control analyst. He played a key role in the SMU’s dominant defense this season, which saw the team finish in the top 20 in numerous defensive categories for FBS teams.

Both changes are immediate for the Mustangs.

SMU finished up its historic season going 11-3 and capturing the first outright conference championship for the program in 41 years while going undefeated in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Mustangs’ 11 wins were tied for second most in program history.

SMU release.

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