ESPN personality Paul Finebaum believes there’s one ideal candidate to take over at Auburn and it's someone currently outside the SEC
Staying ahead of the growing coaching changes, Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall is one name thrown out many times. Finebaum joined The Opening Kickoff podcast this week to discuss current vacancies and zeroed in on Sumrall at Auburn.
“I do believe Sumrall fits most of the checkmarks,” Finebaum said. “I’ve talked to some people at Troy, and they think he was sensational there."
Sumrall, 43, is in his second season at Tulane after posting a 23-4 record in two years at Troy. A former assistant at Ole Miss and Kentucky, he’s earned praise for his defensive background and program-building ability. Finebaum acknowledged other potential fits but said Sumrall stands out because of his personality and coaching style.
Like the late Pat Dye, who built Auburn into a national power in the 1980s, Sumrall represents a blue-collar, disciplined identity that Finebaum believes would resonate deeply on The Plains.
“He’s got that toughness Auburn fans crave,” Finebaum said. “It feels like the right kind of match for that program.”
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