The entire college football world is staring at Oxford, Mississippi, waiting for one domino to fall. That domino is Lane Kiffin. With the No. 9 Rebels preparing for the Egg Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Kiffin’s name keeps popping up for major vacancies across the country.
Until he makes a decision, the coaching carousel is stuck in neutral. But if he does leave, who fills the void?
Who Could Replace Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss?
While Lane is the domino everyone is watching, other names are circulating in the background. Tulane Green Wave coach Jon Sumrall has emerged as a key figure in these discussions, often mentioned as an alternative for the Florida job if Kiffin remains in place.
Sumrall, who had a $3 million annual contract running through 2029, signed an extension with Tulane in Dec. 2024, according to ESPN reports. That deal came after he was linked to openings with the West Virginia Mountaineers and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, analysts see him as a potential fit for the Rebels.
During Wednesday’s segment of the “Bunch Formation” podcast, analyst Chris Vannini pointed to Sumrall’s past connection with the program as a major factor.
“If Ole Miss loses Lane Kiffin, Jon Sumrall is going to be a top option,” Vannini said. “He is a former Ole Miss assistant, but Sumrall is also a top option at Florida if Lane Kiffin doesn’t go there. He’s also the top option at Auburn. He’s from Alabama, his wife went to Auburn. So, Sumrall’s got options too and it kind of depends on what Lane does.”
Where Will Jon Sumrall Land?
While Vannini linked Sumrall to Ole Miss, his fellow panelist Sam Khan Jr. sees a different path. He tabbed Sumrall to join the Auburn Tigers, who have been searching for a new leader since firing Hugh Freeze last month.
“I would put my money on Sumrall at Auburn,” Khan said. “It feels like a job he likes and he’s kind of had his eye on and it kind of feels like if the marriage came together, I think it would go really well. He’s got the right stuff. Whatever job he gets, he’s gonna kill it. He’s won at Troy, he’s won at Tulane and I expect him to win at his next stop.”
Sumrall built his reputation by leading the Troy Trojans to two Sun Belt Conference championships and a 23-4 record before taking the Tulane job in 2023. Since arriving in New Orleans, he has compiled an 18-7 record over two years as head coach.
This season, he has guided the Green Wave to an impressive 9-2 record and a No. 24 ranking in the AP Top 25 Poll. Depending on how the final weeks play out, his team still has a shot to clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff on Selection Sunday.