New SMU head football coach Sonny Dykes gestures from the podium after his introduction in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. SMU hired the former California and Louisiana Tech coach as its new coach, replacing one Texan with reputation for directing potent offenses for another. Dykes will replace Chad Morris, who left SMU last week to become Arkansas' coach.(AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press
DALLAS (AP) - Sonny Dykes was already back in Texas. Now he's a head coach in his home state for the first time.
Dykes was introduced at SMU on Tuesday, telling a story of cheering for the Mustangs at old Southwest Conference rival Texas Tech in the early 1980s. That was before his late dad, Spike Dykes, started a long tenure leading the Red Raiders.
The 48-year-old is back as a head coach a year after he was fired at Cal, having spent the past season as an offensive consultant under Gary Patterson at TCU.
Dykes will coach SMU (7-5) against one of his former teams, Louisiana Tech, in the Frisco Bowl near Dallas next week.
He turned around the Bulldogs before joining the Golden Bears, coaching 2016 No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Jared Goff. Dykes takes over for Chad Morris, who left the Mustangs for Arkansas after three seasons.
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New SMU head football coach Sonny Dykes, center, holds up a jersey with university president Gerald Turner, left, and athletic director Rick Hart after Dykes' introduction in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. SMU hired the former California and Louisiana Tech coach as its new coach, replacing one Texan with reputation for directing potent offenses for another. Dykes will replace Chad Morris, who left SMU last week to become Arkansas' coach.(AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press
New SMU head football coach Sonny Dykes is applauded after his introduction in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. SMU hired the former California and Louisiana Tech coach as its new coach, replacing one Texan with reputation for directing potent offenses for another. Dykes will replace Chad Morris, who left SMU last week to become Arkansas' coach.(AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press
New SMU head NCAA college football coach Sonny Dykes, right, laughs with university president Gerald Turner after Dykes introduction in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. SMU hired the former California and Louisiana Tech coach as its new coach, replacing one Texan with reputation for directing potent offenses for another. Dykes will replace Chad Morris, who left SMU last week to become Arkansas' coach. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press