Symons Named Broyles Award Semifinalist For Third Consecutive Year

By Marc Henry Via Mustang Wire

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Broyles Foundation/SMU) – SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons has been selected as a semifinalist for the Broyles Award for the third straight season, the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced Tuesday.

The Broyles Award, now in its 30th year, recognizes the nation’s top assistant coach. Symons is among 63 nominees chosen through a selection process that includes the Football Writers Association of America, national broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame committee, and current head coaches.

Since its inception, the award has honored 29 winners and more than 100 finalists, with past recipients and standouts including Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, Dan Lanning, and Gus Malzahn. Last year’s winner was Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden.

In his fourth season on the Hilltop, Symons has once again elevated SMU’s defense. Despite replacing 10 starters from the 2024 championship unit, the Mustangs remain one of the nation’s most productive defenses. Symons was a finalist for the award last season.

SMU ranks in the top 25 nationally in multiple defensive categories, including turnovers (1st), red zone defense (2nd), interceptions (5th), fumbles recovered (5th), team sacks (5th), rushing defense (19th), scoring defense (21st), and third-down conversion defense (25th). In ACC play, the Mustangs lead the league in scoring defense, allowing just 14.9 points per game.