The reasoning behind Florida's decision to appoint Jon Sumrall as their new head coach, rather than Lane Kiffin.

Billy Heyen

Why Florida is hiring Jon Sumrall as new head coach, not Lane Kiffin image

TL;DR

  • Florida Gators will hire Jon Sumrall as head coach, not Lane Kiffin.
  • Sumrall's deal is six years, nearly $7.5 million annually.
  • Sumrall has a 23-4 record at Troy and two years at Tulane.
  • Lane Kiffin was pursued by LSU and Florida but chose otherwise.

Lane Kiffin's potential appointment as their next head football coach was considered a possibility for some time by the Florida Gators.

In the end, that job will go to Jon Sumrall from Tulane, according to multiple reports on Sunday morning.

Sumrall's deal will be six years and nearly $7.5 million per year, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

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Sumrall has been a head coach for four years.

This tenure commenced with two campaigns at Troy, where the Trojans achieved a 23-4 record and secured the Sun Belt title for two consecutive years.

It's now been two years at Tulane. The Green Wave achieved a 9-5 record in 2024 and currently stand at 10-2 this season, possessing a genuine opportunity for The College Football Playoff.

Sumrall played college football as a linebacker at Kentucky from 2002-04.

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What led Florida's decision to bring in Jon Sumrall instead of Lane Kiffin?

This ends up being a matter, at least in part, of what Kiffin wanted.

Kiffin, the Ole Miss head coach, emerged as the most desired individual during this coaching transition period. Both LSU and Florida were actively pursuing him.

But earlier in the weekend, news emerged that Florida was moving in a different direction.

It's possible the decision originated from either party. The Gators might have opted against hiring Kiffin, or he might have chosen not to join the Gators.

Either way, it won't be Kiffin. It'll be Sumrall.

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