Tim Tebow didn’t hold back when asked about Florida’s new head coach, Jon Sumrall.
With the Gators set to open SEC play Saturday night at Auburn, the former Florida quarterback and current SEC Network analyst made it clear he’s impressed by what he’s seen from the first-year coach. Tebow said his view of Sumrall has only grown since the hire.
“I liked him when we hired him. I love him the more that I’ve gotten to know him, as a coach but even more so, just as a guy,” Tebow said.
“As a husband, as a father, like, one of the things that I feel that you have to have at Florida, it’s a great program but it’s not an easy program. There’s a lot of pressure.
There’s a lot of eyeballs. You’re expected to do really, really good, and sometimes really good ain’t good enough.
You have to have that charisma, confidence, that sometimes borderlines on arrogance.
“When we look at the really good coaches at Florida, specifically (Steve) Spurrier and Urban (Meyer). … You gotta have a swagger.
We’ve had some really good coaches since, but no one who brought that ‘it’ factor. And I think Jon has the ability to bring that, and I’m hoping that continues to kind of develop.”
Florida is 2-0 so far this season and has put up plenty of points through its first two games, but the level of difficulty changes fast now that Auburn is next on the schedule. The matchup kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
In Other News...
Florida Just Gave Auburn Fans A Painful Reminder Before SEC Opener
Floridas social media team leaned into the buildup for Saturday nights SEC opener by bringing back a familiar voice: LaMical Perine. The former Gators running back narrated a hype video released ahead of the matchup with Auburn, and the clip naturally centered on one of the most memorable plays from the 2019 meeting between the schools, when Perine broke loose for an 88-yard touchdown run that helped Florida win.
It is a timely reminder for Auburn fans because this years game comes with both teams unbeaten at 2-0 and both under new head coaches, which gives the opener a little extra edge even without a ranking attached to it. Florida is clearly happy to reach back to a recent moment that still stings on the other sideline, and the Gators will get a chance to see whether that old highlight can carry any present-day weight when the teams meet in prime time. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Gets An Early Test That Could Change How Fans View This Start
Week 3 brings a familiar kind of September pressure in the SEC, where one early test can quickly reshape how a start is judged. The slate includes games with plenty of ripple effects, from Auburn stepping into a matchup that could alter the way its opening weeks are viewed to broader conference storylines touching Florida State, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Ole Miss.
For Florida fans keeping an eye on the league race, this is the part of the schedule where first impressions can harden fast. A win or loss in one of these spotlight games can change the conversation around rankings, coaches and quarterbacks alike, and Auburns chance to answer a real challenge may end up carrying more weight than it seems on paper. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Golden Just Gave Florida One More Preseason Test
Floridas preseason tune-up list just got a little longer, with Todd Golden adding a second exhibition game before the Gators tip off for real. After already lining up their fall preparation, Florida will now host Stetson on Oct. 27 at the OConnell Center, giving the roster one more chance to settle in front of a home crowd before the games start counting.
The matchup will be available on SEC Network+ and the Gators Sports Network, another sign that Florida is treating the preseason like more than a formality. It also fits into a broader schedule that is now taking shape for 2026-27, with dates, opponents and broadcast notes beginning to come into focus as Golden continues mapping out the road ahead. [Read more 🡒]