On Sunday, Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall agreed to become the next head coach of Florida.
More News: Marcus Freeman ‘Upset’ With Alabama Jumping Notre Dame
However, the replacement for Billy Napier still has some unfinished business in Louisiana to attend to in December.
During an interview on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” this week, Sumrall explained why he felt it was important for him to coach No. 20 Tulane in the American Conference championship on Friday night, despite having duties to take care of with the Gators.
New Florida HC Jon Sumrall plans to coach Tulane in the CFP
More News:Â CFP Committee Explains Controversial Notre Dame-Alabama Decision
“As the Florida opportunity became more of a reality for me, I voiced to them how important it was for me to finish this job the right way,” Sumrall said. “I know how you enter a place matters, but how you leave a place maybe matters just as much, if not more, and Tulane has given me a tremendous opportunity.
“And to be the head football coach here has been very special for me and my family, and I wanted to coach this out. I wanted to be a part of this conference championship game this week, and hopefully something after that, if we can handle our business.”
The Green Wave handled their business, jumping out to a 31-7 lead over No. 24 North Texas before earning a 34-21 win in front of 23,986 fans at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans.
With the victory, Tulane is set to be the highest-ranked Group of 5 program and will make the College Football Playoff. The Green Wave will learn its fate on Sunday when the final CFP bracket is released.
During his postgame interview on ABC, Sumrall suggested he was ready to coach Tulane in the CFP, saying the coaching staff and players wanted to “finish” the job in the postseason.Â
The first round of the CFP is set to be played on Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. So, for the time being, it appears Sumrall won’t be fully dedicated to the Florida program as he prepares Tulane for its first-ever appearance in the CFP.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.