The University of Florida has officially appointed Jon Sumrall as the new head coach of its football program, following the departure of Lane Kiffin to LSU. Sumrall, who has been at the helm of Tulane, expressed his enthusiasm during his introductory press conference at the James W. Heavener Football Training Center on December 1, 2025.
Sumrall candidly addressed speculation regarding whether he was Florida’s second choice after Kiffin opted for LSU. He emphasized the importance of his decision, stating, “The decision I’m making is about which team I’m going to coach in 2026, not in 2025.” This clarity reflects his commitment to building a successful program in Gainesville.
Kiffin’s move to LSU left a vacancy at Ole Miss, where defensive coordinator Pete Golding will assume head coaching responsibilities. Sumrall, who is still coaching Tulane, will lead the Green Wave in the American Conference Championship Game against North Texas on December 2, 2025. He highlighted the challenges ahead, recognizing the need for a cultural shift at Florida, although he is determined not to influence the fanbase into expecting a rebuilding phase.
The new coach, a former standout at Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama, reflected on his past achievements at Troy University, where he turned the program around significantly. Under his leadership, Troy fielded NFL talents such as Jake Andrews and Kimani Vidal. He acknowledged the differences between his previous role and his new responsibilities at Florida, stating, “I’m not saying this is Troy. I know it’s different.”
Florida’s football program has faced challenges recently, concluding the 2025 season with a disappointing record of 4-8, marking its worst performance since 2013. The previous head coach, Billy Napier, finished with an overall record of 22-23 and a 12-16 mark in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In Napier’s absence, Gonzalez served as interim head coach for the last five games of the season.
Sumrall’s vision for the Gators is ambitious. “We had choices. My wife and I sat down, and we chose Florida,” he said, highlighting the mutual decision-making process that led to his hiring. He aims to elevate the program and instill a winning mentality, emphasizing the importance of passion and toughness within the team.
As he transitions from Tulane, where he led the Green Wave to a 10-2 record this season, Sumrall’s focus remains on immediate success. With the upcoming challenges in mind, the new head coach is ready to embark on this exciting chapter with the Gators, determined to restore the team’s prestige in collegiate football.
