The University of Florida has appointed Jon Sumrall as its new head football coach following the unexpected departure of Lane Kiffin to LSU. Sumrall’s hiring was announced during a press conference held on December 1, 2025, at the James W. Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, Florida. With this move, the Gators look to revitalize their football program after a challenging season.
During his introductory remarks, Sumrall addressed speculation regarding whether he was Florida’s second choice. Kiffin’s decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU left Florida in a position to seek a new leader. Sumrall, who has been coaching at Tulane, will continue to focus on his current team through their upcoming American Conference Championship Game against North Texas before fully transitioning to Florida.
In reflecting on his past experiences, Sumrall acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “The decision I’m making is about which team I’m going to coach in 2026, not in 2025.” He emphasized the need for a thorough understanding of the dynamics in college football, where coaching and player movements are common. His remarks highlighted the complexities of the current landscape, where contracts can sometimes feel less binding than in professional sports.
Sumrall, a former standout defensive back at Grissom High School, has a track record of success. He previously led the Troy Trojans, where he guided the team to notable improvements, citing NFL players such as Jake Andrews and Dell Pettus as key contributors to that success. He noted that the turnaround at Troy was easier due to the existing talent and culture within the team.
“I walked into a football team that had some good players. They just hadn’t been winning,” he explained. Despite this, Sumrall made it clear that he is not looking at the Florida job as a rebuilding project. Instead, he aims to win immediately and expressed confidence in the Gators’ potential.
The Gators concluded their 2025 season with a disappointing record of 4-8, the worst since 2013. Former head coach Billy Napier managed to achieve only a 22-23 overall record during his tenure. Following Napier’s departure, Gonzalez served as the interim head coach for the last five games, winning just once.
Looking ahead, Sumrall’s recent success at Tulane, with a record of 10-2 heading into the conference title game, provides a strong foundation as he takes the helm at Florida. He expressed gratitude to Troy University for the opportunities afforded to him, acknowledging both Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins and Athletic Director Brent Jones for supporting him in his first head coaching role.
Sumrall concluded his introduction by affirming his commitment to the Gators, stating, “We had choices. My wife and I sat down, and we chose Florida. Florida had to choose us, but we chose them back.” As he embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on Sumrall to see how he can turn the Gators’ fortunes around in the highly competitive SEC landscape.
