SMU Coach Rhett Lashlee Rips U.S. Court System For 'Ruining' College Football

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Football is a religion is the state of Texas and for SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee, the recent court decisions that have been altering the sport on an almost weekly basis feel like heresy to him.

Appearing on Amber & Ian, Lashlee declared that the recent college football lawsuits are “ruining” the game of football. He said that the recent court decisions, including one that allowed all Class of 2022 athletes to get an extra year of eligibility, are hurting the game and are a big reason that Congress needs to step in.

“I think this is more evidence why, when they come back from the break – regardless of what you think – Congress has to pass this bill,” Lashlee said. “We have a game right now that has no rules and no leadership. And the leadership that is there can’t be sustained.

“You can’t have a deal where it depends on which court case or which state you sue in and what judge you get determines the rules. … The court system is running our our game right now. And, there’s no consistency and continuity. So for some players, it might be a good thing. For others, it might not be a good thing.”

“There’s just so much uncertainty and instability.”

Lashlee argued that while the rules that currently govern the NCAA or the pending federal legislation might not be perfect, there need to be some kind of rules in place in order for there to be some level of stability. He feels that controversial rules are better than no rules at all.

“Regardless of [which] side of that you fall on, it’s not ever good when there’s no rules, no consistency and we don’t all know how to both for the players, what they’re what they’re allowed to do and what they can expect,” Lashlee said. “And for the the fans and for us that are… trying to to lead programs and run things in this business, there’s just so much uncertainty and instability. We’ve got to have it because you go from here’s the rules to then two weeks ago, well, guys could maybe get a fifth year from ’22, but only back to their school and can’t transfer to now, oh wait, you can come off an NFL roster and come back and go wherever you want two weeks before the season starts.

“I think anybody rational would tell you, that’s not a sustainable model. So that’s really what I care about, more than just one little instance. I’m not worried about the symptoms. I’m worried about the problem.”

Many have lamented that college football has seemingly turned into the “wild west” with the way things are changing so constantly.

It’s hard to argue against it.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Aug 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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