Huntsville native + Grissom grad Jon Sumrall to take Florida job
Reading time: 3 minutes
Although we reported last month that Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall was a favorite for the vacant head football coach position at Auburn, this weekend’s news has the Grissom High School grad taking over the Florida Gators program.
The University of Florida announced yesterday that Sumrall had been officially hired as the 31st head football coach in program history.
From Huntsville to Gainesville
Sumrall 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’s season.
In just four seasons as a head coach at Tulane, Sumrall holds a 38-11 record and has made three conference championship game appearances.
Tulane will compete in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game on Dec. 5, and a win would likely propel the Green Wave into the College Football Playoff.
“Not many coaches win big at two different non-Power programs, and even fewer do it as quickly as Jon has done it. 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.”
Scott Stricklin, University of Florida Athletics Director
Sumrall graduated from Grissom High School in 2001 after earning All-State honors as a linebacker and leading the Tigers to a 12-2 record and a semi-final berth in the AHSAA 6A playoffs. He also set a school record with 18 interceptions during his career before going on to play linebacker at the University of Kentucky.
He then immediately began his coaching career, which has included:
- 2005-06: Graduate assistant at Kentucky
- 2007-09: DL coach at San Diego
- 2010-11: Assistant head coach at San Diego
- 2012-14: DC at Tulane
- 2015-17: Assistant head coach at Troy
- 2018: Linebackers coach at Ole Miss
- 2019-20: Linebackers coach at Kentucky
- 2021: DC at Kentucky
- 2022-23: Head coach at Troy
- 2024-present: Head coach at Tulane
He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year in 2022. He is also a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame.
Sumrall said he is already putting together his coaching staff at UF, and looks forward to the challenge.
“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.”
Jon Sumrall, new head coach at the University of Florida
Florida fired head coach Billy Napier in October as the Gators fell to 3-4 on the season. Napier was in his fourth season in Gainesville. Sumrall’s contract at Florida is reported to be a six-year, $44.7 million deal.
Stay in the know on all that is happening in the Rocket City! Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
