Report: SMU hiring Missouri TE coach Casey Woods as offensive coordinator

The SMU Mustangs moved quickly to make their offensive coordinator hire this week, landing on Missouri tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Casey Woods. Yahoo’s Pete Thamel was first to report the move, which has also been confirmed by reporters in Columbia.

Woods has worked with new Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee in the past, at both Auburn and Arkansas State.

Casey Woods joined Eli Drinkwitz’ staff at Missouri for the 2020 season. For his recruiting work, he earned Rivals’ recruiter of the year award in his first year.

Prior to Missouri, Woods spend three seasons with the tight ends at UAB, while also serving as run-game coordinator. His first assistant job was at Arkansas State in 2012 after completing a stint as a quality control coach at Auburn. After Arkansas State, Woods returned to Auburn as Director of Player Personnel.

Woods is a former Tennessee Vol and a Starkville, Mississippi native. He played in 41 games for the Vols from 2003-07 as a wide receiver and holder, and he served as a team captain during his senior year in 2007.

SMU brings back Rhett Lashlee

SMU officially named Rhett Lashlee as its next head coach on Monday. The news was not surprising after it leaked last week that Sonny Dykes would be Gary Patterson’s replacement at TCU.

The current offensive coordinator at Miami, Lashlee was the offensive coordinator at SMU for two seasons. He led the Mustangs to 41.8 points per game in 2019, good enough for No. 7 in the country.

“As with previous transitions, our process was thorough and competitive. Ultimately, though, our conversations kept leading us back to one man – Rhett Lashlee,” SMU head coach Rick Hart said in the school’s release. “Rhett’s ability to connect with recruits, his passion and love for his players and his alignment with our vision and values are among the many reasons he has been selected to lead SMU Football. We will provide Rhett with the support and resources he needs to bring a championship to the Hilltop, and are thrilled to welcome Rhett back to SMU.”

Miami’s offense has struggled this year due to a myriad of injuries.

SMU will be Lashlee’s first head coaching job, at any level, during his career. He’s made previous stops as an offensive coordinator at Auburn, Arkansas State, Samford, and UConn as well.

Lashlee and SMU will have the opportunity to get their revenge on Dykes and TCU. The rivals face off on Sept. 24, 2022, in Dallas. A rivalry that was already heated will take to another level with these coaching changes.