Florida selected Tulane’s Jon Sumrall as its next head coach on Sunday, bringing a fast-rising coaching prospect to Gainesville to try to turn around a floundering blue-blood program.
Florida is finalizing a six-year contract for Sumrall that includes nearly $6.5 million annually in addition to “significant incentives” tied to the College Football Playoff, ESPN reported Sunday.
Unlike the situation at SEC peer Ole Miss, where Lane Kiffin is departing for LSU ahead of the postseason, Sumrall will coach Tulane for the rest of the season before switching jobs. The Green Wave face North Texas in the American Conference championship game next week, where a win would all but assure the program of its first College Football Playoff berth.
“The University of Florida is one of the premier programs in college football, and it’s an incredible honor to serve as the head football coach,” Sumrall said in a statement. “I believe in building a team rooted in toughness, accountability and a relentless competitive spirit. Florida has everything necessary to compete at the highest level — the resources, the support, the tradition and the passion of Gator Nation. My family and I are excited to get to work.
“One 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’t optional — it’s mandatory!”
Sumrall, 43, owns a 42-11 record in four seasons as a head coach split between Troy and Tulane. He was the 2022 Sun Belt Coach of the Year with the Trojans and guided the Green Wave to a 10-2 record in 2025.
“Not many coaches win big at two different non-Power programs, and even fewer do it as quickly as Jon has done it,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement. “He joins rare company — coaches like Urban Meyer, Brian Kelly and Willie Fritz — who’ve delivered immediate success at multiple stops. Jon’s track record of rapid turnarounds speaks directly to his leadership and the culture he establishes.”
Sumrall returns to the Southeastern Conference after playing at Kentucky and serving as an assistant coach and co-defensive coordinator at the school.
He will take the position previously held by Billy Napier, who was fired on Oct. 19 and replaced by interim coach Billy Gonzales. The Gators finished the season with a 4-8 record after posting a 40-21 victory over Florida State (5-7) on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
