College Sports Established
1918
Location
Dallas, Texas
College Name
Southern Methodist University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1918 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
2024 - Present / ACC Conference
2013 - 2024 / American Athletic Conference
2005 - 2013 / Conference USA
1996 - 2005 / Western Athletic Conference
1918 - 1996 / Southwest Conference
Nickname
Mustangs—The SMU Mustangs are an NCAA Division I college football program in Dallas, Texas. The team has a long and storied history, with its first season dating back to 1915. But many people don't know that the nickname "Mustangs" dates back even further—to 1911!
The name's origin can be traced back to an incident involving two students at Southern Methodist University (SMU). In 1911, two freshmen were walking across campus when they noticed a wild mustang grazing near one of the school's buildings. They decided then and there that it would make an excellent mascot for their university's sports teams—thus giving birth to SMU's beloved Mustangs moniker!
For years after this event, various SMU student body members referred affectionately to their school as “the Mustang Academy” or “the Home Of The Mustangs." This eventually led university administrators to decide to make it official by officially adopting "Mustang" as its official athletic nickname in 1915.
Since then, generations of fans have cheered on their beloved Mustangs through countless big and small victories - including numerous conference championships and appearances in major bowl games over time! As such, this iconic nickname will continue living on for many more years into the future – connecting current players with alumni from decades past who proudly wore those same colors out onto fields everywhere around America every Saturday afternoon during fall seasons gone by…Go MUSTANGS!!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1948
- 1983
- 2009
- 2013
- 2017
-
Doak Walker wins the Heisman Trophy
In 1948: Doak Walker wins the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in the nation. -
Pony Express Mate Eric Dickerson
Dickerson committed to Texas A&M before reconsidering and deciding amongst Oklahoma, Southern California, and Southern Methodist University (SMU). His great-great aunt talked him into staying in the state of Texas to attend Southern Methodist University because she liked SMU coach Ron Meyer. Dickerson was the subject of recruiting controversy when he started driving a new Pontiac Trans-Am during his senior ... -
Hawaii Bowl Champions
In 2009: The football team wins its first bowl game since 1983, defeating Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl. -
Mustangs joined the American Athletic Conference
In 2013: The Mustangs leave CUSA and join the American Athletic Conference (AAC). -
Mustang’s basketball team wins its second AAC championship
In 2017: The men’s basketball team wins its second AAC championship and reaches the NCAA tournament for the second time in three years.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Mustangs
The SMU Mustangs have a long and storied history in NCAA athletics. From their first season of play in 1915 to today, the Mustangs have consistently been among the top teams in college sports. With a deep commitment to excellence on and off the field, SMU has earned numerous national championships, conference titles, and individual honors as an NCAA program.
At its founding, SMU was known as The Dallas College before becoming Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 1911. It wasn’t until 1915 that football began at what is now known as “Death Valley” – then located on campus near Ownby Stadium – with head coach Ray Morrison leading his team through their inaugural season against Texas A&M University; they lost 6-0 but would go on to win five Southwest Conference Championships over 25 years under Morrison's leadership between 1915–1940!
In 1932 Coach Matty Bell took over for Morrison after he left for Vanderbilt University; it was during this era that many consider some of the best players ever seen at SMU were recruited: Doak Walker (running back), Kyle Rote Sr., Bobby Wilson (wide receiver), Don Meredith & Forrest Gregg among others who helped lead them towards winning two more SWC titles by 1941 - including an undefeated 10-0 record during '41 when they beat TCU 20-14! In addition, these championship teams also had several All-Americans, such as Bill Mercer, who became a famous sportscaster later in life too!
Over time other coaches like Tom Landry brought even greater success with three consecutive bowl appearances from 1959–61, while Hayden Fry won another pair before retiring following the 1981 season. After that, Dave Smith took charge until 1986, when current head coach June Jones arrived, bringing yet another National Championship title home a long way… Since then, there has been much debate about whether or not it should be considered part "powerhouse" program due mainly because a lack of consistency compared to other significant universities across the country, but regardless fact remains that it still holds multiple records within the conference itself, which speaks volumes about how successful the program can indeed be if given a chance compete amongst best competition out there today!
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