Lia Assimakopoulos
@lassimak.bsky.social
Covering the Dallas Stars, SMU & college sports for The Dallas Morning News. Say hi: lia.assimak@dallasnews.com. It’s pronounced uh-sih-muh-KAHP-uh-lis.
Stars forward Radek Faksa was injured at the Olympics in Czechia's last game and will miss the team's elimination game today.
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Stars forward Radek Faksa injured at Olympics, out for Czechia’s elimination game
Dallas Stars forward Radek Faksa was injured in Team Czechia's last Olympic game.
www.dallasnews.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Stars forward Radek Faksa was injured at the Olympics in Czechia's last game and will miss the team's elimination game today.
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SMU freshmen Jaden Toombs and Jermaine O’Neal Jr. live on the same dorm floor this year.
Somehow, it’s more distance than they’ve had since the eighth grade.
How they became the program’s future ⤵️
Somehow, it’s more distance than they’ve had since the eighth grade.
How they became the program’s future ⤵️
Inseparable since eighth grade, Jermaine O’Neal Jr. and Jaden Toombs lead SMU’s future
The two freshmen have become SMU’s sixth and seventh men this season and are key contributors in the Mustangs’ pursuit to return to the NCAA tournament.
www.dallasnews.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:06 PM
SMU freshmen Jaden Toombs and Jermaine O’Neal Jr. live on the same dorm floor this year.
Somehow, it’s more distance than they’ve had since the eighth grade.
How they became the program’s future ⤵️
Somehow, it’s more distance than they’ve had since the eighth grade.
How they became the program’s future ⤵️
Crushing finish for SMU. The Mustangs lose 79-78 on the road at Syracuse, as the Orange hit the game-winning layup with less than three seconds remaining.
Tuesday's home game against No. 24 Louisville has now become even more of a must-win.
Tuesday's home game against No. 24 Louisville has now become even more of a must-win.
February 14, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Crushing finish for SMU. The Mustangs lose 79-78 on the road at Syracuse, as the Orange hit the game-winning layup with less than three seconds remaining.
Tuesday's home game against No. 24 Louisville has now become even more of a must-win.
Tuesday's home game against No. 24 Louisville has now become even more of a must-win.
So, I think you dress Jake Oettinger next game...
February 14, 2026 at 8:33 PM
So, I think you dress Jake Oettinger next game...
62-15 SOG for Finland is just offensive.
Mikko Rantanen had three points, and Miro Heiskanen had two. Somehow, no points for Roope Hintz in the 11-0 win over Italy.
Mikko Rantanen had three points, and Miro Heiskanen had two. Somehow, no points for Roope Hintz in the 11-0 win over Italy.
February 14, 2026 at 6:13 PM
62-15 SOG for Finland is just offensive.
Mikko Rantanen had three points, and Miro Heiskanen had two. Somehow, no points for Roope Hintz in the 11-0 win over Italy.
Mikko Rantanen had three points, and Miro Heiskanen had two. Somehow, no points for Roope Hintz in the 11-0 win over Italy.
SMU announces linebackers coach Maurice Crum will take over defensive playcalling responsibilities, while he and Rickey Hunley Jr. will serve as co-defensive coordinators.
SMU linebackers coach Maurice Crum to replace Scott Symons defensive playcaller
SMU linebackers coach Maurice Crum is the frontrunner to become the program's next DC.
www.dallasnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:18 PM
SMU announces linebackers coach Maurice Crum will take over defensive playcalling responsibilities, while he and Rickey Hunley Jr. will serve as co-defensive coordinators.
Dallas city manager to Mavericks, Stars: Embrace the skyline, not Applebee’s
From @ChhetriDevyani:
From @ChhetriDevyani:
Dallas city manager to Mavericks, Stars: Embrace the skyline, not Applebee’s
City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert quipped that if the Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Stars leave the urban core for the suburbs, their arena view could change...
www.dallasnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Dallas city manager to Mavericks, Stars: Embrace the skyline, not Applebee’s
From @ChhetriDevyani:
From @ChhetriDevyani:
SMU linebackers coach Maurice Crum is the frontrunner to become SMU's next defensive play caller and replace DC Scott Symons, per source.
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SMU linebackers coach Maurice Crum the frontrunner to replace Scott Symons as DC
SMU linebackers coach Maurice Crum is the frontrunner to become the program's next DC.
www.dallasnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:12 PM
SMU linebackers coach Maurice Crum is the frontrunner to become SMU's next defensive play caller and replace DC Scott Symons, per source.
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SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons has accepted a position with the Cowboys.
The Mustangs have now lost both of their coordinators from last season.
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The Mustangs have now lost both of their coordinators from last season.
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Cowboys adding SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons to Christian Parker’s staff
The Dallas Cowboys are hiring SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons. He will join defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s staff as inside linebackers coach.
www.dallasnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:31 PM
SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons has accepted a position with the Cowboys.
The Mustangs have now lost both of their coordinators from last season.
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The Mustangs have now lost both of their coordinators from last season.
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Mikko Rantanen is the first Dallas Star to score a goal this Olympics. His empty netter secured Finland’s 4-1 win over rival Sweden.
Esa Lindell also recorded an assist on Finland’s third goal.
Esa Lindell also recorded an assist on Finland’s third goal.
February 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Mikko Rantanen is the first Dallas Star to score a goal this Olympics. His empty netter secured Finland’s 4-1 win over rival Sweden.
Esa Lindell also recorded an assist on Finland’s third goal.
Esa Lindell also recorded an assist on Finland’s third goal.
SMU announces reorganization of offensive staff to replace departed OC Casey Woods
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SMU announces reorganization of offensive staff to replace departed OC Casey Woods
Rhett Lashlee said SMU will not hire anyone new to fill the OC opening.
www.dallasnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:58 AM
SMU announces reorganization of offensive staff to replace departed OC Casey Woods
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Rhett Lashlee defended SMU's decision to play two future games at AT&T Stadium.
“I’m always gonna want to play our games at home at Ford, without question. But there’s certain strategic things we have to do to continue to advance our program."
“I’m always gonna want to play our games at home at Ford, without question. But there’s certain strategic things we have to do to continue to advance our program."
SMU football announces two games at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium
SMU announced it will face Oklahoma and LSU at AT&T Stadium later this decade.
www.dallasnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Rhett Lashlee defended SMU's decision to play two future games at AT&T Stadium.
“I’m always gonna want to play our games at home at Ford, without question. But there’s certain strategic things we have to do to continue to advance our program."
“I’m always gonna want to play our games at home at Ford, without question. But there’s certain strategic things we have to do to continue to advance our program."
Rhett Lashlee does not plan to hire anyone to replace Casey Woods as offensive coordinator. Rob Likens has been promoted to Chief of Staff. Kyle Cooper, Garin Justice, D'Eriq King and Riley Dodge will share the responsibilities.
Lashlee said he felt they had the answers within.
Lashlee said he felt they had the answers within.
February 12, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Rhett Lashlee does not plan to hire anyone to replace Casey Woods as offensive coordinator. Rob Likens has been promoted to Chief of Staff. Kyle Cooper, Garin Justice, D'Eriq King and Riley Dodge will share the responsibilities.
Lashlee said he felt they had the answers within.
Lashlee said he felt they had the answers within.
Rhett Lashlee announced that RBs coach/special teams coordinator Kyle Cooper is moving to full-time offense. Assistant special teams coordinator Casey Horny will be promoted to special teams coordinator.
February 12, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Rhett Lashlee announced that RBs coach/special teams coordinator Kyle Cooper is moving to full-time offense. Assistant special teams coordinator Casey Horny will be promoted to special teams coordinator.
I appreciate the consistency. At least North America isn't the only continent where no one knows what goaltender interference really is.
February 12, 2026 at 8:42 PM
I appreciate the consistency. At least North America isn't the only continent where no one knows what goaltender interference really is.
Someone should hire these Latvian video coaches.
February 12, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Someone should hire these Latvian video coaches.
Olympic hockey is so cool. Like what do you mean an undrafted Latvian player just scored on a loaded Team USA roster and a three-time Vezina winner? This is what sports are about.
February 12, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Olympic hockey is so cool. Like what do you mean an undrafted Latvian player just scored on a loaded Team USA roster and a three-time Vezina winner? This is what sports are about.
Didn't take long. The floodgates are open for Team USA.
February 12, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Didn't take long. The floodgates are open for Team USA.
Stars’ Thomas Harley records pair of assists as Canada blanks Czechia in group play
Stars’ Thomas Harley records pair of assists as Canada blanks Czechia in group play
Harley recorded a pair of assists in Canada’s 5-0 win over the Czech Republic on Thursday.
www.dallasnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Stars’ Thomas Harley records pair of assists as Canada blanks Czechia in group play
In SportsDayDFW today:
After career-defining decision, TCU star Olivia Miles finds ‘perfect match’ with the Frogs
Full story: www.dallasnews.com/s...
After career-defining decision, TCU star Olivia Miles finds ‘perfect match’ with the Frogs
Full story: www.dallasnews.com/s...
February 12, 2026 at 5:34 PM
In SportsDayDFW today:
After career-defining decision, TCU star Olivia Miles finds ‘perfect match’ with the Frogs
Full story: www.dallasnews.com/s...
After career-defining decision, TCU star Olivia Miles finds ‘perfect match’ with the Frogs
Full story: www.dallasnews.com/s...
Thomas Harley records his first Olympic point with the secondary assist on Bo Horvat's goal to put Canada up 3-0 on Czechia.
February 12, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Thomas Harley records his first Olympic point with the secondary assist on Bo Horvat's goal to put Canada up 3-0 on Czechia.
SMU football to play two games at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium
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SMU football to play two games at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, per report
SMU announced it will face Oklahoma and LSU at AT&T Stadium later this decade.
www.dallasnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:01 PM
SMU football to play two games at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium
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Former Stars coach Pete DeBoer is back behind the bench for the first time since last season’s Western Conference finals.
February 12, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Former Stars coach Pete DeBoer is back behind the bench for the first time since last season’s Western Conference finals.
SMU is making some dreams come true for this ACC basketball fan
From @TimCowlishaw:
From @TimCowlishaw:
SMU is making some dreams come true for this ACC basketball fan
ACC hoops, even in the current bloated version that no longer dominates the landscape, remains a sight to see.
www.dallasnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:57 PM
SMU is making some dreams come true for this ACC basketball fan
From @TimCowlishaw:
From @TimCowlishaw: