Jon Sumrall was named the 31st\u00a0head football coach in program history, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced Nov. 30, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sumrall, who brings extensive coaching and playing experience in the Southeastern Conference, joins the Gators after engineering rapid turnarounds at two different programs and guiding his teams to championship game appearances in every season he has served as a head coach. Known for his energy, leadership, program-building skills and consistent results, Sumrall will officially take over the Gators program following the conclusion of Tulane\u2019s season.<\/p>\n
Tulane will compete in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game on December 5, and a win would likely propel the Green Wave into the College Football Playoff.<\/p>\n
\u201cJon Sumrall is a proven winner and an exceptional leader who has built successful programs at every stop,\u201d Stricklin said. \u201cHe brings tremendous energy, strong recruiting relationships across our footprint, and a philosophy rooted in toughness, discipline and player development. Jon will cultivate a daily culture of competitiveness, accountability and winning that drives success on the field and throughout our program. He fully understands the expectations at the University of Florida, and we\u2019re excited to welcome him and his family to Gator Nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot many coaches win big at two different non-Power programs, and even fewer do it as quickly as Jon has,\u201d Stricklin said. \u201cHe joins rare company\u2014coaches like Urban Meyer, Brian Kelly and Willie Fritz\u2014who\u2019ve delivered immediate success at multiple stops. Jon\u2019s track record of rapid turnarounds speaks directly to his leadership and the culture he establishes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite only returning four starters this season, Sumrall has guided No. 22\/No. 24 Tulane to a 10-2 (7-1) record and a spot in the conference championship in back-to-back seasons. He has now made four conference championship game appearances in his first-four years as a head coach, becoming the only coach in FBS history to do so at two different schools.<\/p>\n
Sumrall, 43, has developed a reputation as one of college football\u2019s top young coaches during his tenures at Troy and Tulane and currently owns the fifth-highest winning percentage among active FBS coaches (42\u201311, .792), trailing only Ryan Day, Dan Lanning, Kirby Smart and Curt Cignetti.<\/p>\n
He is also widely regarded as a strong recruiter with deep ties throughout the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee. Sumrall has earned consistent praise for his talent identification, player development and ability to connect with student-athletes and their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe University of Florida is one of the premier programs in college football, and it\u2019s an incredible honor to serve as the head football coach,\u201d Sumrall said. \u201cI believe in building a team rooted in toughness, accountability and a relentless competitive spirit. Florida has everything necessary to compete at the highest level\u2014the resources, the support, the tradition and the passion of Gator Nation. My family and I are excited to get to work.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my first priorities will be to assemble an incredible staff, including an offensive coordinator who understands that, at Florida, having an explosive offense isn\u2019t optional \u2013 it\u2019s mandatory!\u201d<\/p>\n
In his first season as Tulane\u2019s head coach, Sumrall guided the Green Wave to their third straight American Athletic Conference Championship Game and a bowl appearance versus Florida. His team finished first or second in the conference in 10 statistical categories, including leading the league in third-down conversions (52.5%), defensive touchdowns (6), completion percentage (65.6%), scoring offense (37.2) and pass-efficiency defense (111.65). Tulane led the nation in defensive touchdowns and produced a league-high 18 all-conference selections.<\/p>\n
As the head coach at Troy in 2022 and 2023, Sumrall engineered one of the nation\u2019s most impressive program turnarounds\u2014leading the Trojans to back-to-back Sun Belt championships, consecutive 12-win seasons and multiple national rankings. He was named conference Coach of the Year and twice was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award.<\/p>\n
Troy\u2019s 23 victories across the 2022\u201323 seasons were tied for the third most nationally, trailing only Georgia, Michigan and Washington. Troy and Michigan were the only two programs to win conference titles in both seasons.<\/p>\n
Sumrall was a three-year letterwinner at middle linebacker at Kentucky from 2002\u201304. He led the Wildcats with 72 tackles his senior year. A standout off the field as well, he was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll and selected to the Frank G. Ham Society of Character. After earning his finance degree in 2005, he served as a graduate assistant at Kentucky during the 2005 and 2006 seasons under Rich Brooks.<\/p>\n
He spent five seasons at the University of San Diego beginning in 2007, including two years as defensive coordinator, before returning to Tulane for a three-year stint as defensive coordinator. Sumrall served as assistant head coach at Troy from 2015\u201317, then spent four seasons in the SEC\u2014at Ole Miss in 2018 and at Kentucky from 2019\u201320 and again as co-defensive coordinator in 2023\u2014before becoming Troy\u2019s head coach.<\/p>\n
A two-time all-Alabama selection and four-year letterwinner at Grissom High School, Sumrall was inducted into the Huntsville-Madison County Hall of Fame in 2023. He is married to the former Ginny Nixon, also of Huntsville, and they have four children: Sam, Sadie, Stella and Selah.<\/p>\n
Sumrall\u2019s approach aligns with Florida\u2019s emphasis on excellence\u2014athletically, academically and personally. He is known for building strong relationships with student-athletes, fostering team-first cultures and assembling high-performance staffs aligned with his vision.<\/p>\n
\u201cJon leads with integrity, communicates with clarity and holds himself and his teams to the highest standards,\u201d Stricklin said. \u201cHe is the right leader to lead Florida Football towards the elite success all Gators desire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jon Sumrall Coaching History
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tYear
\n\t\t\tPosition, School
\n\t\t
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2024-25\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tHead Coach, Tulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2022-23\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tHead Coach, Troy
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2021\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tDefensive Coordinator, Kentucky
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2019-20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tAssistant Coach, Inside Linebackers, Kentucky
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2018\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tAssistant Coach, Linebackers, Ole Miss
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2015-17\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tAssistant Head Coach, Linebackers\/Special Teams, Troy
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2012-14\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tDefensive Coordinator, Tulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2010-11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tAssistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, San Diego
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2007-09\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tDefensive Line, San Diego
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2005-06\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n\t\t\tGraduate Assistant, Kentucky
\n\t\t
\n\t
<\/p>\n
\nYear by Year Head Coaching Record<\/p>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tYears
\n\t\t\tSchool
\n\t\t\tRecord
\n\t\t\tConference Record
\n\t\t\tNotes
\n\t\t
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2022
\n\t\t\tTroy
\n\t\t\t12-2
\n\t\t\t7-1
\n\t\t\tLeague Champions
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2023
\n\t\t\tTroy
\n\t\t\t11-2
\n\t\t\t7-1
\n\t\t\tLeague Champions
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2024
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t\t9-5
\n\t\t\t9-5
\n\t\t\tLeague Championship Game Appearance
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2025
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t\t10-2
\n\t\t\t10-2
\n\t\t\tLeague Championship Game Appearance
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tTotals
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t42-11
\n\t\t\t28-4
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t
<\/p>\n
\nWhat they are saying about Jon Sumrall
\n\u00a0\u00a0
\nHead Ball Coach Steve Spurrier:
\n\u201cI\u2019m 100 percent supportive of the hiring of Coach Sumrall. He is an excellent choice and has the track record to prove it. He is a young coach on the way up and certainly has a winning record and produced winning teams. He is coaching in his fourth straight league\u2019s championship game Friday night. He\u2019s a proven winner and he will bring a little more fire and emotion to our team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gator Heisman Quarterback Danny Wuerffel
\n\u201cI got the chance to talk with Jon Sumrall and I\u2019m really excited for him to be our new coach! He is a winner. His passion is contagious. He is a great leader of men. And for those offensive minded folks\u2014like me\u2014he understands us and is committed to hiring an elite OC.\u00a0 I\u2019m as excited to be a Gator as I\u2019ve been in a long time.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\nTwo Time National Championship Coach Urban Meyer
\n\u201cWhat a special day for Gator Nation. Jon is one of the top young coaches in the game. I\u2019ve studied Coach Sumrall and have gotten to spend some time with him. His teams are tough, physical and he creates a competitive environment. I look forward to getting to know him even more and the special things he will do at Florida.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\nJacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen
\n\u201cHe\u2019s an absolute stud. I\u2019ve got a ton of respect for Jon Sumrall as a man, as a person, as a coach. He can connect with all walks of life. Recruits, there\u2019s not many better recruiters I\u2019ve been around at all positions, not just on defense, but the entirety of it. And I know his teams play their tails off. That\u2019s something that you\u2019ve just continued to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noting Sumrall
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\tJon Sumrall has made four conference championship game appearances in his first-four years as a head coach. He is the only coach in FBS history to do so at two different schools.
\n\tSumrall has led two different FBS schools to back-to-back conference title games in just four years, highlighted by two conference titles to his resume. He is the third coach in FBS history to reach a conference title game in each of his first-four seasons.
\n\tSumrall is tied for sixth-most wins (42) among FBS head coaches since 2022 behind only Kirby Smart (50), Ryan Day (48), Dan Lanning (46), Kalen DeBoer (44) and Marcus Freeman (43). He is tied with Steve Sarkisian (42) in that span.
\n\tSumrall (.792, 42-11) has the fifth-highest winning percentage among current FBS head coaches behind only Ryan Day (.891, 81-10), Dan Lanning (.868, 46-7), Kirby Smart (.853, 116-20) and Curt Cignetti (.792, 141-37).
\n\tSumrall\u2019s 18 road victories are tied for the most in the FBS since 2022 alongside Ryan Day and Dan Lanning.
\n\tSumrall is 14-2 all-time in road conference tilts, which is third-best in the FBS since 2022 behind only Ryan Day (15-2) and Dan Lanning (15-2).
\n\tSumrall has a career record of 29-4 in October, November and December for an .879 win percentage.
\n\tWinning at least nine games in every season as a head coach, Sumrall is currently averaging 10.5 wins per season \u2013 and counting.
\n\tSumrall\u2019s teams have ranked inside the top-30 in the FBS in yards per completion in every season of his tenure: 26th (2025), seventh (2024), 28th (2023) and 18th (2022).
\n\tAcross four seasons as a head coach since 2022, the 150 total sacks compiled by Sumrall\u2019s teams are second among FBS programs in that span, trailing only Penn State (160).
\n\tSumrall\u2019s defenses have racked up 91 takeaways in his four seasons, which trails only three FBS teams since 2022.
\n\tSumrall\u2019s teams have finished inside the top-35 in the FBS in takeaways every season: 2025 (19, 32nd), 2024 (22, 27th), 2023 (23, 20th), 2022 (27, eighth).
\n\tNever finishing outside the top-35 in the FBS in turnover margin, Sumrall\u2019s squads have posted a plus-22 turnover margin in his four seasons: 2025 (+5), 2024 (+7), 2023 (+5), 2022 (+5).
<\/p>\n
\nNFL Players Drafted under Sumrall\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tYear
\n\t\t\tRound
\n\t\t\tPlayer
\n\t\t\tPosition
\n\t\t\tNFL Team
\n\t\t\tCollege Team
\n\t\t
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2025
\n\t\t\t3
\n\t\t\tCaleb Ransaw
\n\t\t\tCB
\n\t\t\tJacksonville Jaguars
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2025
\n\t\t\t7
\n\t\t\tMicah Robinson
\n\t\t\tCB
\n\t\t\tGreen Bay Packers
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2024
\n\t\t\t5
\n\t\t\tJavon Solomon
\n\t\t\tEDGE
\n\t\t\tBuffalo Bills
\n\t\t\tTroy
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2024
\n\t\t\t6
\n\t\t\tKimani Vidal
\n\t\t\tRB
\n\t\t\tLos Angeles Chargers
\n\t\t\tTroy
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2024
\n\t\t\t3
\n\t\t\tTrevin Wallace
\n\t\t\tLB
\n\t\t\tCarolina Panthers
\n\t\t\tKentucky
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2023
\n\t\t\t4
\n\t\t\tJake Andrews
\n\t\t\tCB
\n\t\t\tNew England Patriots
\n\t\t\tTroy
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2023
\n\t\t\t7
\n\t\t\tCarrington Valentine
\n\t\t\tCB
\n\t\t\tGreen Bay Packers
\n\t\t\tKentucky
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2022
\n\t\t\t2
\n\t\t\tJosh Pachal
\n\t\t\tDE\/LB
\n\t\t\tDetroit Lions
\n\t\t\tKentucky
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2021
\n\t\t\t1
\n\t\t\tJamin Davis
\n\t\t\tILB
\n\t\t\tWashington Commanders
\n\t\t\tKentucky
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2019
\n\t\t\t7
\n\t\t\tDonnie Lewis
\n\t\t\tCB
\n\t\t\tCleveland Browns
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2018
\n\t\t\t6
\n\t\t\tParry Nickerson
\n\t\t\tCB
\n\t\t\tNew York Jets
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2018
\n\t\t\t6
\n\t\t\tAde Aruna
\n\t\t\tDE
\n\t\t\tMinnesota Vikings
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2017
\n\t\t\t6
\n\t\t\tTanzel Smart
\n\t\t\tDT
\n\t\t\tLos Angeles Rams
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2015
\n\t\t\t5
\n\t\t\tLorenzo Doss
\n\t\t\tCB
\n\t\t\tDenver Broncos
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t2015
\n\t\t\t7
\n\t\t\tTauren Nixon
\n\t\t\tCB
\n\t\t\tDenver Broncos
\n\t\t\tTulane
\n\t\t
\n\t
<\/p>\n
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