Tulane coach Jon Sumrall led the Green Wave to a 35-24 win over the Florida Atlantic Owls in Week 12 of college football action. The win improved the Green Wave to 8-2 for the season and kept their chances of reaching the AAC championship game alive.
After not being ranked last week, the Green Wave also broke into the AP Top 25 Poll at No. 24, boosting their chances of clinching a College Football Playoff berth and further boosting Sumrall’s stock.
Jon Sumrall Dismissed Job Speculation Rumors
In the past few weeks, Sumrall has been consistently linked with some of the vacant head coach jobs in college football. On Sunday, “Daily Wire” reporter Jake Crain revealed on X that Sumrall was the favorite candidate to become the Auburn Tigers coach.
After Hugh Freeze was fired last month, DJ Durkin, the defensive coordinator, took over as interim head coach. Crain also revealed the fate of the interim Auburn coach.
“Feels like it’s Sumrall for Auburn as leader in the clubhouse. Also hearing it’s a lot more likely than first thought he would keep Durkin as DC. Would Neal Brown come as OC? I think so. Looks like Craddock (current Tulane OC) is in line for a head job,” Crain tweeted.
Feels like it’s Sumrall for Auburn as leader in the clubhouse.
Also hearing it’s a lot more likely than first thought he would keep Durkin as DC.
Would Neal Brown come as OC? I think so.
Looks like Craddock (current Tulane OC) is in line for a head job.
— Jake “JBOY” Crain (@JakeCrain_) November 16, 2025
Sumrall accumulated an incredible 23-4 record as coach of the Troy Trojans, including two Sun Belt Conference championships. He was appointed the Tulane coach in 2023, where he has managed a 17-7 record as he attempts to conquer the AAC championship and reach the College Football Playoff.
Sumrall Dismissed Job Speculation Rumors
During a fiery news conference before Tulane faced the UTSA Roadrunners on Oct. 27, 2025, Sumrall dismissed the speculation linking him to several top jobs and assured Green Wave fans of his commitment to the program.
“I’m not really into reflecting on anything right now, I’m into coaching this football team,” Sumrall said. “The one thing that is consistent, I’ve dealt with it every year as a head coach. I get this question every year. I’m so focused on where we’re at as a team, maybe even more so than ever.”
Then he went on to break down how he perceives people around him perceive his drive and hunger for a better performance every single practice.
Sumrall said, “I was a maniac at practice two days ago, and people probably felt like I was on drugs because I fear complacency. I fear distraction. I’m the head football coach at Tulane. I’ll talk about Tulane. I’ll probably get asked this question tomorrow too. I’ve got enough problems with this football game to not be distracted by anything other than them.”
According to PFSN’s College Football Playoff Meter, Sumrall’s Tulane has a 78.69% chance to reach the AAC championship game and a 34.54% chance of clinching a College Football Playoff spot.