Tulane fans may not like it, but Jon Sumrall has reportedly been in the mix with several Power Four coaching searches. And he may have a big decision to make in the next couple days.
ESPN reported Sumrall is expected to make a choice regarding his future on Sunday morning, after Tulane beat Charlotte and sealed a spot in the American Conference Championship against North Texas. A win in that game would likely give the Green Wave a spot in the College Football Playoff considering the Green Wave are the only Group of Five team ranked in the CFP Selection Committee’s Top 25, as they are 24th this week.
Here’s more about the situation:
Jon Sumrall’s Candidacy For SEC Coaching Vacancies
Sumrall’s “outside opportunities have included significant interest from Florida and Auburn,” according to ESPN.
Reports indicate Florida turned its attention away from Lane Kiffin and is now focused on Sumrall. He would certainly be a good hire for the Gators, in my opinion, considering his career trajectory.
ESPN also reported that Lane Kiffin’s decision to stay at Ole Miss or go to LSU could impact Sumrall, and ESPN reported Saturday night that Kiffin is indeed going to LSU. Sumrall’s been an assistant at Ole Miss before, so with a potential vacancy there now, that could prove to be a good fit.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
But ESPN reporter Pete Thamel’s post also included staying at Tulane as one of Sumrall’s options. Based on pay and his alignment with decision-makers at the given schools with openings, that could be a viable option as well. Sumrall is still just 43 years old and doesn’t need to rush to a Power Four job if it doesn’t suit him.
Yahoo reported Saturday night that Tulane offered Sumrall a multi-year contract extension that averages more than $4 million per year. That would make him the second-highest paid coach in the Group of Five. So Tulane may be doing everything it can to try and keep him.
Sumrall has an extremely impressive resume with a great deal of success as a G5 head coach and as an assistant in the SEC. I anticipate at least one of these P4 schools are going to see Sumrall as a worthwhile hire and would make investments necessary to provide a good situation for him.
Jon Sumrall’s Record
Jon Sumrall is 42-11 in the FBS as a head coach. That was from the past four years at Tulane (2024-25) and Troy (2022-23).
Tulane Head Coach Jon Sumrall’s Resume
Sumrall is one of the top coaches in the Group of Five right now.
After he replaced Willie Fritz as Tulane’s head coach, Sumrall led the Green Wave to a 9-5 overall record and an AAC Championship appearance in 2024.
And in 2025, Tulane (9-2, 6-1 American) is one of the best teams in the G5 once again with two Power Four wins on its resume.
Sumrall certainly has the background to be worthy of a P4 head coaching job.
Sumrall was the head coach at Troy for only two years before going to Tulane, but he certainly made a difference. He led the Trojans to Sun Belt Championships in both of those seasons.
Sumrall, who played football at Kentucky and is from Huntsville, Alabama, led Troy to a 23-4 overall record from 2022-23.
Defense is Sumrall’s specialty, and during those two years, Troy ranked among the Sun Belt’s top three teams in total defense and scoring defense. In 2023, the Trojans allowed the 10th-fewest points per game in the FBS (17.15) and the 15th-fewest yards per game (306.5).
He also had prior experience at Tulane. He was the team’s co-defensive coordinator from 2012-14.
Sumrall was Kentucky’s co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach before becoming the head coach at Troy. He was also a linebackers coach at Ole Miss (2018), an assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Troy (2015-17), and an assistant at San Diego (2007-11).
