Rhett Lashlee enters his first season as Samford's offensive coordinator. Lashlee will also coach the team's quarterbacks.
"I wanted to go in the direction of a fast-paced offense," Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. "With Rhett's background of working with Coach Malzahn and with the type of offense they run, I thought this was a good fit. He has a tremendous knowledge of this offense, and he is a fine, Christian person. He and his wife recently had twin boys and we are excited to welcome them to our Samford family."
Lashlee comes to Samford after spending the last two years as an offensive graduate assistant for Gene Chizik at Auburn. He assisted offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn with all aspects of the offense and coached the slot receivers in 2010. In 2009, the Tigers finished 8-5 winning the Outback Bowl. During the recent 2010 season he helped the Tigers finish 14-0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship and the BCS National Championship behind Heisman Trophy winning Quarterback Cam Newton.
Prior to working at Auburn, Lashlee's college coaching career began in 2006 under Head Coach Houston Nutt at Arkansas, where he served as Offensive Student Graduate Assistant for Gus Malzahn. He helped lead the Razorbacks to a 10-4 record and an SEC Western Division Championship behind Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden and fellow All-American Felix Jones. Prior to working at Arkansas, he worked under Malzahn at Springdale High School in Arkansas in 2004 and 2005 where he worked with the Quarterbacks and 2005 Gatorade, Parade Magazine and Rivals.com National Player of the Year, Mitch Mustain.
Lashlee was a backup quarterback at the University of Arkansas from 2002 - 2004, when his career was cut short due to a shoulder injury.
Prior to attending Arkansas, Lashlee graduated from Shiloh Christian high school in Springdale, Ark. in 2002. He played quarterback for high school coaches Gus Malzahn and Chris Wood at Shiloh Christian High School from 1999 - 2001 where he posted a state record 40 career wins (40-3-2 as a starter) leading his team to three straight State Championship game appearances, including two state titles. He was also named 2001 AP Arkansas Player of the Year. To date he still owns virtually every state passing record and when his career had finished he had broken the national record for career touchdown passes (171), career touchdowns (200), most passing yards in a game (672) and was second with 13,201 passing yards.
Lashlee graduated from the University of Arkansas's in 2006 with a degree in Marketing and Business Administration. He received his Masters degree in Higher Education from Auburn University in 2009.
Lashlee is married to the former Lauren Lee, of Rogers, Arkansas and they have 6 month old twin boys, Thomas Price and Hudson Rhett.
