SMU's Rhett Lashlee Takes Shot at SEC: 'That's Not Depth'

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee is making headlines after taking a direct shot at the SEC while defending the strength and depth of the ACC.

Lashlee began his college football career in the SEC as a quarterback at Arkansas (2002–04) and later as an assistant coach at Auburn under Gus Malzahn. Despite having ties to the conference, he has been increasingly vocal about promoting the ACC. Now in his fourth season as head coach of SMU, Lashlee is using his platform to highlight what he views as flaws in the SEC’s dominance.

At ACC Media Days in Charlotte, Lashlee didn’t hold back when addressing the SEC’s track record. He pointed out the conference is built on the backs of a few outstanding teams.

“The SEC has had the same six schools win the championship since 1964," Lashlee said. "Not a single one has been different since 1964. That’s top-heavy to me. That’s not depth.”

The comments by Lashlee came in the wake of ongoing debates over conference strength, especially after SMU earned a spot in the first 12-team College Football Playoff last season after falling to Clemson in the ACC title game. A decision that ruffled feathers across the SEC after Alabama was left out.

While his critique may not sit well with some SEC loyalists, Lashlee’s stance is rooted in facts. Since Alabama’s national title in 1964, only six SEC schools have captured football national championships. Alabama has the most with 15, followed by Georgia with four. Auburn, Florida, and LSU have each racked up three.

While Tennessee has two with the last coming in the Peyton Manning era. No other SEC program outside of Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Georgia Tech, who is now part of the ACC, have ever hoisted a national championship trophy.

The SEC’s dominance in the BCS and College Football Playoff eras, particularly its 13 titles over 17 seasons between 2006 and 2022, has faced scrutiny after Big Ten powerhouses Michigan and Ohio State claimed the last two national titles. Lashlee’s remarks challenge the narrative of SEC being superior, but proves he’s not afraid to speak his mind. Especially when it comes to defending his team and fairly-new conference.