Florida’s pursuit of finding a suitable coach to help guide the Gators in their quest for a fourth national title has led them to hire Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall.
On Sunday, Sumrall was named the 31st head football coach in program history, and Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin revealed that three-time national champion coach Urban Meyer was influential in the selection of Sumrall.
Football Reporter Reveals Urban Meyer’s Role In Jon Sumrall’s Hiring
On Monday, Alligator Sports football reporter Max Bernstein tweeted that Stricklin called Meyer to discuss the Gainesville job vacancy. Meyer, who led Florida to national football titles in 2006 and 2008, was approached for this role.
In recent months, Stricklin spent time with Jon Sumrall, studying his coaching style at Tulane. Afterward, three-time champion coach Meyer recommended the 43-year-old as Florida’s next playcaller, replacing Billy Napier.
Scott Stricklin says Urban Meyer called him and recommended that they hired Jon Sumrall.@alligatorSports
— Max Bernstein (@maxbernstein23) December 1, 2025
Meyer’s endorsement was a major factor. Florida waited for his public support before green-lighting Sumrall’s hiring. On Sunday, after Meyer posted a video tweet describing the acquisition as a special day for Gator Nation, his influence on the process became clear.
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“What a special day for Gator Nation. Welcome head football coach, Jon Sumrall. One of the top five coaches in winning percentage in college football. I studied coach Sumrall. I got to spend some time with him over the last few months,” Meyer said.
“His teams are tough. They’re physical and creates a competitive environment. If he wins a championship game this year, it would be the third conference championship in the past four years. So again welcome to Gator Nation Jon Sumrall and your family! Go Gators!,” he added.
Big day for Gator Nation. Jon Sumrall is one of the top young coaches in the country—tough, competitive, and a proven winner. Florida is getting a big-time leader. Go Gators! 🐊🔥 pic.twitter.com/LaPqE7x2Oo
— Urban Meyer (@CoachUrbanMeyer) November 30, 2025
Sumrall, who received significant interest from SEC programs Auburn, Ole Miss, and Arkansas, and had Tulane working a big-time effort to retain him, finalized the six-year, 44.7-million contract with Florida on Nov. 30, 2025. He’ll be staying with Tulane until the end of the season to try to help the Green Wave make the college football playoffs.
Sumrall and his team host No. 20 North Texas in the American Conference title game on Dec. 5. The winner has a chance to secure a College Football Playoff Berth, and Sumrall promised he’d keep coaching Tulane if it gets selected.
Tulane has the 11th-best chance of making the CFP, according to the CFB Playoff Meter, with a 61.2% of making the playoffs, less than three percent behind 10th-running Virginia and ahead of Alabama, who has the 12th-best chance at 55.8%.
