What does SMU coaching history show?
SMU coaching history on this page spans 24 tracked head coaches, led by Ray Morrison with 82 wins from 1922-1934.
Program history
SMU Football History
Program history, coaching eras, title years, and signature seasons.
Gerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park • TX
ACCGerald J. Ford Stadium
Seasons Indexed
110
All-Time Wins
554
Winning Seasons
45%
Last 10 Win %
65.8%
History guide
SMU program history explained
This history tab puts SMU into a longer program timeline: season records, winning and losing streaks, coaching-era context, title references, playoff runs, and decade-level performance.
The current dataset includes 110 indexed seasons, and 24 coaching tenures. Use the national record links to compare the program against broader college football leaderboards.
Program History
Explore the program's most dominant seasons, toughest stretches, and era-by-era trends.
Use the snapshot to scan program-wide benchmarks, standout seasons, and decade-level performance trends.
Total Wins
554
Across 110 seasons
Winning Seasons
45%
Share of winning records
Average Record
5.0-5.2
Per season
Last 10 Seasons
65.8%
Win rate since 2026
Signature Season
1935
12-1 (92.3% win rate)
Toughest Season
2003
0-12 (0.0% win rate)
Peak Seasons
Most wins in program history
Highlights the seasons that produced the biggest win totals for the program.
| Year | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 12-1 | 92.3% |
| 1982 | 11-0-1 | 95.8% |
| 2024 | 11-3 | 78.6% |
| 2023 | 11-3 | 78.6% |
| 1981 | 10-1 | 90.9% |
Challenging Seasons
Years that tested the fan base
Surfaces the seasons with the heaviest loss totals and weakest win rates.
| Year | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 0-12 | 0.0% |
| 2014 | 1-11 | 8.3% |
| 2008 | 1-11 | 8.3% |
| 2007 | 1-11 | 8.3% |
| 1995 | 1-10 | 9.1% |
Era Performance
Win rate by decade
Buckets every season into decade groups so long-run rises and dips are easier to spot.
| Decade | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 53-23 | 69.7% |
| 2010s | 57-69 | 45.2% |
| 2000s | 34-84 | 28.8% |
| 1990s | 31-76-3 | 29.5% |
| 1980s | 63-28-1 | 69.0% |
| 1970s | 48-59-3 | 45.0% |
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