Florida is closing in on an agreement to make Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall the new leader of the Gators football program, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations. The deal is expected to span six years and pay Sumrall close to $7.5 million annually, with additional bonuses available for postseason success, including College Football Playoff incentives.
Sumrall, 43, has built an impressive résumé in a short time. Across four seasons as a head coach — two at Troy and two at Tulane — he has accumulated a 42–11 record. His teams have reached their conference championship game every season he has been at the helm, establishing him as one of the most consistent program builders in the country.
He would be stepping in for Billy Napier, who was dismissed in October after Florida finished a disappointing 4–8 season. While Sumrall has excelled at the Group of Five level, moving into the high-pressure environment of the SEC presents a significant new challenge. Florida’s leadership is betting that his strong track record, disciplined approach, and ability to elevate programs will translate to success in Gainesville.
If finalized, the hire would mark a major step in the Gators’ effort to reset the direction of the program and regain competitiveness in the nation’s toughest conference.
