The Florida Gators hired Tulane Green Wave’s Jon Sumrall as their next head coach on Sunday. The Gators initially favored Lane Kiffin, but his waning interest in the program led them to focus on Sumrall instead.
Sumrall had also been linked to coaching opportunities at Auburn, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. He is a Kentucky alum and also spent part of his early coaching career as a linebackers coach at both Kentucky and Ole Miss.
Urban Meyer Throws Support Behind New Florida Head Coach Jon Sumrall
Sumrall arrives in Gainesville with a 42-11 career record as a head coach, including two seasons at Tulane. He led the Green Wave to a 10-2 record this season and will remain at the helm through the end of the season, which may include a College Football Playoff appearance.
Florida brought in Sumrall with hopes of finding an “Urban Meyer 2.0,” and Meyer himself publicly endorsed the hire.
“What a special day for Gator Nation,” Meyer said in a tweet following Sumrall’s Florida move. “Welcome, head football coach Jon Sumrall, one of the top five coaches in terms of winning percentage in college football. I’ve studied coach Sumrall and got to spend some time with him over the last few months.
“His teams are tough, they’re physical, and it creates a competitive environment. If he wins a championship game this year, it’ll be the third conference championship in his past four years. So again, welcome to Gator Nation. Jon Sumrall and your family. Go Gators!”
In New Orleans, Sumrall posted a 19-7 record over two seasons and guided Tulane to the American Athletic Conference championship game each year. He replaces Billy Napier, who was dismissed on Oct. 19 after compiling a 22-23 record over four seasons.
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin expressed confidence in Sumrall’s abilities.
“Not many coaches win big at two different non-Power programs, and even fewer do it as quickly as Jon has done it,” Stricklin said in a statement. “He joins rare company – coaches like Urban Meyer, Brian Kelly and Willie Fritz – who’ve delivered immediate success at multiple stops. Jon’s track record of rapid turnarounds speaks directly to his leadership and the culture he establishes.”
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Sumrall will now face a big challenge in reviving Florida football, which went 4-8 this season, including a 2-6 record in the Southeastern Conference. The Gators ended the season with a 40-21 loss to Florida State last weekend and currently sit No. 52 in the PFSN College Football Playoff Rankings.
