WACO, Texas (AFCA/SMU) – SMU Edges Coach Sam Dunnam has been named to the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, presented by Riddell InSite Analytics, the American Football Coaches Association announced in a release on Monday.

The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, presented by Riddell InSite Analytics, is a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.

In his fourth season on the Hilltop, Dunnam coached an explosive edge unit. The Mustangs recorded 34 sacks, tied for first in the conference and 16th nationally. SMU's rushing defense ranks 19th in the nation, allowing just 105.9 yards per game on the ground. 

Dunnam's core was highlighted by Isaiah Smith, who set a career high with 8.5 sacks, good for second in the ACC. Tied for first in the conference, Smith also tallied 17 tackles for loss. The senior recorded the most sacks and the most tackles for loss by an ACC player in a single game this season, notching 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss in SMU's dominant win over Boston College on Nov. 8. Cameron Robertson also heavily contributed to the defense, posting five sacks, eighth in the ACC. 

To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years old or younger on January 1st of that year's convention and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, a two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or an NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or a10-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant's choosing back in the summer.