If you step back and compare the similarities of Chad's career path to his mentor Malzahn then the SMU move makes a lot of sense. Malzahn went from Arkansas High School, to Tulsa OC, to Auburn OC, then went back home as Arkansas State HC, then got his big job as Auburn HC. Chad seems to be following the exact blue print from Texas High School, to Tulsa OC, to Clemson OC, then back home as SMU HC hoping that it gets him the same result that it gave Malzahn.