The coaching carousel is spinning fast, and Florida just made one of the more intriguing moves of the cycle. After a tough 2025 season that ended with a 4-8 record - including a rivalry win over Florida State that served more as a silver lining than a turning point - the Gators wasted no time in turning the page. On Sunday, just a day after that season-ending win, Florida announced Tulane’s Jon Sumrall as its next head coach.
And make no mistake: this is a bold hire. Sumrall isn’t a household name in the SEC - at least not yet - but he brings a résumé that’s hard to ignore.
Tulane is sitting at 10-2 under his leadership and very much in the College Football Playoff conversation. That kind of success, especially at a Group of Five program, doesn’t go unnoticed.
It’s why ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg handed the hire a B+ grade and praised the move as one with serious upside.
Sumrall’s appeal goes beyond the win-loss column. He’s known as a strong communicator, someone who can connect with players, recruits, and boosters alike - a vital trait in a job as high-profile and pressure-packed as Florida’s.
And while his background might not scream “SEC blue blood,” that could actually work in his favor. He’s earned everything the hard way, and that grit tends to resonate in locker rooms.
Florida’s decision to move on from Billy Napier earlier this fall - after a 3-4 start that spiraled into a sub-.500 finish - signaled that patience was running thin in Gainesville. The Gators have talent, no question.
But talent without direction doesn’t win in this league. The hope now is that Sumrall can be the guy to bring structure, identity, and eventually, wins back to The Swamp.
Rittenberg noted that while Sumrall might not have been the obvious choice for Florida at the start of this chaotic coaching cycle, he could end up being the right one - if the school gives him time to build. That’s the key here.
Florida’s recent coaching history has been defined by short leashes and high expectations. But if Sumrall is allowed to lay a foundation, his track record suggests he’ll get the most out of the Gators' roster - which, let’s be honest, is rarely lacking in raw talent.
There’s no crystal ball in college football, but this hire feels like a calculated bet on leadership, culture, and long-term vision. Jon Sumrall has a big job ahead of him. But if his Tulane tenure is any indication, he’s not just ready for the challenge - he’s built for it.