Jon Sumrall Reveals Talks With Lane Kiffin Before Signing Florida HC Contract

Jon Sumrall has had a busy few weeks managing the end of Tulane's season while also being a candidate for numerous head coaching gigs.

The new Florida head coach revealed Monday that he talked through the process with someone who was going through the same thing.

"Lane Kiffin and I have been going through the same thing," Sumrall said, per On3's Andy Staples. "And we've talked a lot. And we both agreed that I was the best guy for this job."

Kiffin, along with Sumrall, was a candidate for the vacant head coaching gig at Florida following Billy Napier's firing. Zach Abolverdi of GatorsOnline.com reported last week that the Gators were "closing in on other targets" because of Kiffin's "erratic communication."

Kiffin ultimately took the job at LSU, agreeing to a seven-year contract that pays him $91 million total.

Sumrall is now on his way to his third school as a head coach since 2022. The 43-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the up-and-coming coaches in college football, putting together a 42-11 overall record.

He led Tulane to a 10-2 record this year, and the Green Wave are currently in position to make the College Football Playoff, though they'll have to do so without their head coach.