The SMU Mustangs had a strong first season in the ACC, finishing at the top of the standings in their first year in the new conference before falling in the conference championship game. As a result, they missed out on a highly coveted first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
So, the Mustangs were forced to play a first-round matchup where they lost to Penn State in Happy Valley. While that was disappointing, it was still a great season overall. However, now it looks like the team could be in for a period of transition.
SMU AD Rick Hart Plans To Step Down at End of Academic Year
One of the most stable aspects of SMU athletics for over a decade has been Athletic Director Rick Hart. He has been a constant force for the Mustangs throughout the team’s positive and negative years. However, insider Pete Thamel reported on Friday that Hart plans to step down at the end of the academic year.
Source: SMU AD Rick Hart plans to step down at the conclusion of the academic year. He’s been the AD since 2012 at SMU.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 7, 2025
“Source: SMU AD Rick Hart plans to step down at the conclusion of the academic year. He’s been the AD since 2012 at SMU,” Thamel wrote.
The school has not yet announced a new athletic director. Hart’s vacant position, one of the most coveted in college athletics, is now even more influential with SMU in the ACC.
SMU Must Handle Players Leaving for NFL Without Hart
While the Mustangs had a strong season, college football is a fickle sport. You can have a great season one year and be awful the next because you lost too many players to the NFL Draft. SMU must deal with this issue without their athletic director this offseason.
SMU has a few players from their roster who are expected to enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Defensive end Elijah Roberts is the most significant loss to the roster for the Mustangs.
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This season, Roberts contributed 35 tackles—including 17 solo—one pass defended, and two forced fumbles. According to Pro Football Focus, he is the 112th-ranked player in the upcoming draft class.
Running back Brashard Smith and defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte are also leaving the team to play on Sundays.
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