Jon Sumrall’s full-time era in Gainesville is officially underway.
With Tulane’s season ending in a College Football Playoff loss to Ole Miss, Sumrall now turns the page from a dual-role December to a singular focus: building Florida football back into an SEC contender. The former Tulane and Troy head coach has been balancing two jobs since late November, but that juggling act ends now - and the Gators’ offseason is already gaining momentum.
One of Sumrall’s first moves? Bringing a familiar face with him to the Swamp.
According to reports, Tulane defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato is set to join Florida’s staff as the inside linebackers coach. It’s a reunion that makes plenty of sense. Gasparato has been Sumrall’s right-hand man on defense before - most notably as the defensive play-caller for Troy’s 2023 Sun Belt title team and again this season for Tulane’s American Athletic Conference championship run.
While Gasparato hasn’t coached in the SEC before, he’s no stranger to high-level football or to Sumrall’s system. The two have built a strong working relationship over the years, and that continuity could be a major plus as Florida looks to stabilize its defense. Gasparato even stepped in as interim head coach for Troy during the 2023 Birmingham Bowl after Sumrall left for Tulane - a sign of the trust and leadership he brings to the table.
Florida’s new linebackers coach brings a deep and varied résumé. He’s logged time at Appalachian State, Army, Louisville, and Cincinnati in a mix of defensive roles, and he coached linebackers at Louisville in 2022. While he may not have SEC credentials yet, he’s battle-tested and brings a versatile coaching background that fits well in the modern college game.
Sumrall’s early hires are starting to paint a picture of what he values: familiarity, trust, and a shared vision. Gasparato checks all those boxes - and as Florida begins a new chapter, those foundational relationships could be key to turning things around in Gainesville.