SMU hires Rice recruiting director

SMU has been on the wrong end of departures and transfers this season between them and their rivals. But on Monday the Mustangs got one over on one of their regional rivals. 

SMU will hire the Rice Owls recruiting director Alex Brown to become the program’s director of scouting. Brown confirmed the move on his personal Twitter account. The former Owl also pinned a letter to Rice in the post. 

“Starting off, I would like to thank coach Bloomgren for believing in me as a person and professional. You opened up your home to me, my recruiting staff and our entire team at rice,” wrote Brown. “You gave me a chance to grow, instill confidence and me daily and I cannot thank you enough for the friendship we developed over the last three years.” 

As he continued the letter he thanked all those involved in his success at Rice. 

New SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee has been on a mission to fill his coaching staff since joining the ptrgram. Last week alone he hired Scott Slutak formally of the Miami Hurricanes to be the program’s chief operating officer. Lashlee also hired former Virginia Cavaliers strength and conditioning coach Shawn Griswold to the same position with SMU. 

TCU swipes from SMU, again

Talley one for the TCU Horned Frogs in the battle against their in-state rival of SMU. Alan Ali, who has been with the Mustangs for the entirety of his college football career, has announced on Twitter that he will transfer and play for TCU in 2022.

Ali announced his decision on Friday afternoon with him donning the purple and black of TCU. He also attached this statement directed at the university and its fans.

“Firstly, I would like to thank SMU and the entire community from the bottom of my heart. My five years at SMU were nothing short of amazing. With that being said, I’m excited to announce I will be playing my last season of college football in my hometown of Fort Worth at TCU,” Ali said.

The 6-foot-5 senior is headed home to the Dallas Fort Worth area. Ali was given this opportunity thanks to the additional year eligibility provided to all players by the NCAA. The extra year was awarded following the COVID shortened 2020 season. Ali will join the only college football coach he has ever played for in Sonny Dykes. Dykes took over for TCU late in November after spending five years with SMU.