HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Broyles Foundation/SMU) – SMU Defensive Coordinator Scott Symons has been named a nominee for the prestigious Broyles Award, the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced on Tuesday.
 
The award, which honors college football's top assistant coach, has celebrated the best assistant coaches in the country for 30 years.
 
Symons was selected as one of the 63 nominees for the honor for a third straight year. The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches.
 
Since its founding, the Broyles Award has honored 29 winners and more than 100 finalists, including some of the biggest names in college football coaching history such as Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, Dan Lanning, and Gus Malzahn. The 2024 Broyles Award winner was Al Golden, defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.

In his fourth season on the Hilltop, Symons has continued his incredible work on defense. SMU has built on a dominant championship defense again despite losing 10 starters from 2024. He was a finalist for last year's honor.
 
The Mustangs rank in the top 25 in the FBS on defense in turnovers (first), red zone defense (second), passes intercepted (fifth), fumbles recovered (fifth), team sacks (fifth), rushing defense (19th), scoring defense (21st), third down conversion percentage defense (25th).
 
In ACC play, Symons has the defense rolling, ranking first in scoring at 14.9 points allowed per game.