Symons was the Mustangs' defensive coordinator for the past four seasons under Rhett Lashlee.
SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons is being hired by the nearby Dallas Cowboys to be the team's new inside linebackers coach. He is brought in by new coordinator Christian Parker, who is assembling a youthful staff to try to fix one of the NFL's worst defenses from 2025.
Symons has been instrumental in the Mustangs' resurgence into the ACC over the last few years, which has included multiple championship-contending play and a College Football Playoff berth in 2024.
The Mustangs finished fifth in the country this season in turnovers gained and red zone defense this season, while also ending the year eighth in total interceptions.
As cited by ESPN, Symons was "a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to college football's top assistant, and was nominated for the honor in each of the past three years. That fall, SMU finished seventh nationally in defending the run and 10th in sacks." He had signed a contract extension in December 2024 after the CFP run.
Symons, 40, is a Hurst native who stays in the Metroplex for his first ever NFL coaching job.
Before joining the Ponies, Symons was a defensive coordinator at Liberty from 2019-21, his first DC job after previously coaching linebackers at Memphis.
The former linebacker at Lindenwood University spent two decades coaching in high school before rising up the college ranks.
For the Cowboys, he is one of multiple defensive coaches 40 years old or younger. Parker, 34, is the youngest defensive coordinator in franchise history, clearly pointing to a philosophical change to owner Jerry Jones' typical ways of staffing.
For SMU head coach and play-caller Rhett Lashlee, both coordinator spots are now open to begin the offseason. Offensive coordinator Casey Woods became the head coach at Missouri State earlier.
Says reporter Adam Rittenberg: "SMU may look internally for [Symons'] replacement with Maurice Crum, who joined the staff in 2023 and has served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach since 2024."