Tulane coach Jon Sumrall leaving to take over Florida Gators’ football program

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Tulane coach Jon Sumrall is leaving the Green Wave to take over the University of Florida’s football program, officials from both universities confirmed Sunday (Nov. 30).

Sumrall, 43, will continue coaching Tulane for this Friday’s American Athletic Conference championship game against visiting North Texas. Should the Green Wave win that game and earn a bid into the 12-team College Football Playoff, Sumrall will remain through the end of their tournament appearance, Tulane athletic director David Harris said in a statement.

Florida’s athletic director Scott Stricklin issued a statement calling Sumrall “an exceptional leader who has built successful programs at every stop.”

College football insider Pete Thamel of ESPN reported that Sumrall is expected to sign a six-year deal worth an average of $7.5 million per year, with additional “significant” incentives tied to the College Football Playoff.

Florida smothered Florida State, 40-21, on Saturday to finish a 4-8 season that saw coach Billy Napier fired in mid-October.

Sumrall emerged as one of college football’s hottest young coaching prospects by amassing a combined 42-11 record over the past four years, two at Tulane and two at Troy.

The move to Gainesville returns the former Kentucky linebacker to the Southeastern Conference, where he previously held assistant coach positions at Kentucky and Ole Miss.

Sumrall, who was born in Texas but raised in Huntsville, Ala., reportedly withdrew his name from consideration for the Auburn coaching job on Saturday.

After being named the Sun Belt Conference’s coach of the year in 2022, Sumrall was hired as Tulane’s 42nd head football coach on Dec. 8, 2023.

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