Jon Sumrall Assembles Nearly Complete Staff at Florida - With a Clear Shift in Experience and Structure
With Florida officially out of the postseason picture, new head coach Jon Sumrall wasted no time getting to work. By Sunday, he had filled nearly every spot on his inaugural coaching staff for the 2026 season - with just the running backs coach position still to be named. And while some of the hires come from familiar territory, Sumrall’s approach shows signs of a more balanced and experienced foundation than what the Gators had under Billy Napier’s tenure.
Let’s break down what’s different - and why it matters.
A Familiar Pipeline, But With a Purpose
Yes, many of Sumrall’s new assistants are coming with him from Tulane. And yes, that might raise a few eyebrows, especially after he made a point about not simply “hiring his friends.” But here’s the thing: unlike Napier’s early staff, which leaned heavily on familiarity over proven experience at the Power Four level, Sumrall’s crew brings a more seasoned résumé to Gainesville.
To put it in perspective, the current staff (minus the yet-to-be-named RB coach) averages four years of Power Four experience, with a median of three. That’s right in line with Napier’s 2022 staff - but it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about where that experience lies and how the staff is structured.
Defensive Coordinator Upgrade: Brad White Brings NFL and Power Four Pedigree
The biggest leap comes on the defensive side of the ball. Brad White, Florida’s new defensive coordinator, has 12 years of combined NFL and Power Four experience.
That’s a massive step up from 2022’s DC, Patrick Toney, who entered the role with zero Power Four experience. White’s background gives Florida a coach who’s not only seen high-level football but has coached it at the highest levels - a critical asset for a program looking to steady its footing in the SEC.
Offensive Leadership: More Experience, More Clarity
On offense, Sumrall has tapped Buster Faulkner to run the show as offensive coordinator. Faulkner brings six years of Power Four experience to the table, which already gives him a stronger foundation than Napier had when he was calling plays himself.
In the trenches, offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is another notable addition. With eight years of Power Four experience, he brings a veteran presence to a unit that will be crucial in shaping Florida’s identity next fall. That’s a clear upgrade from Rob Sale, who entered with just three years of similar experience.
One of the more interesting moves? Sumrall brought Joe Craddock with him from Tulane, but rather than keeping him in his previous OC role, he reassigned him to quarterbacks coach.
It’s a smart shift. Craddock has prior Power Four experience - something Ryan O’Hara didn’t have when he held the same position under Napier - and this move allows Faulkner to take full control of the offense while Craddock focuses on developing the most important position on the field.
Some Youth on Defense, But with Upside
Not every hire is a seasoned vet, and that’s okay. Cornerbacks coach Brandon Harris has just one year of Power Four experience under his belt, and new outside linebackers coach Bam Hardmon is stepping into his first Power Four role. These are the kinds of hires that carry some risk, but they also bring energy and fresh perspective - especially if paired with experienced coordinators like White.
The Bottom Line
Sumrall’s staff isn’t just a reshuffling of familiar faces - it’s a calculated mix of continuity and experience. While the average and median Power Four experience might look similar to Napier’s initial staff on paper, the key difference lies in how that experience is distributed. With proven coordinators in place and more Power Four-tested assistants in key roles, Florida looks better positioned to avoid the early missteps that plagued the previous regime.
There’s still work to be done - namely filling that running backs coach spot - but the early returns suggest Sumrall is building a staff that blends familiarity with functionality. And for a program eager to turn the page, that’s exactly the kind of foundation you want heading into 2026.