Jon Sumrall introduces himself to Gator Nation on Monday in proper fashion. (Photo: Jordan Perez/UAA Communications)
Fired Up, All In: Sumrall's Passion Recharges Gators
Monday, December 1, 2025 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On a jam-packed Monday that included a morning practice at Tulane, a late-afternoon press conference at UF's Heavener Football Training Center, and a scheduled landing back in New Orleans around 8 p.m. CT, Jon Sumrall's itinerary included a fireside chat with former Gators coaches Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer following his introductory presser.
During his brief visit to town, Sumrall left no doubt who lit the match and fueled the flames during that conversation.
"I will never back down,'' Sumrall said. "We're going to do everything we can to win fast. I have a plan for how we can win long-term, but I want to win tomorrow and today and every day. I respect that the Florida fan base is not patient.
"They want to win right now, too. You've got the right coach."
The 43-year-old Sumrall, as soon as he did a Gator Chomp when the doors opened on the private jet that delivered him early Monday afternoon, made sure everyone watching or listening knew what his intentions were. With his wife and four kids in attendance, Sumrall said he had other options if he decided to leave Tulane. But he said that once the Gators chose him, he was all in.
He addressed the packed press conference with a combination of humor, sincerity and fire — the kind of passion that many fans complained was missing under former head coach Billy Napier.
"I've got one of the best jobs in the world,'' Sumrall said. "I'll get emotional because on the plane, I'm thinking about this. I've got to pinch myself. This has been a dream of mine. To be able to be the head football coach here, man, it is special because this place loves football. It eats, sleeps, breathes, drinks football. So do I. We're yoked the right way together."
Sumrall addressed a wide range of topics before returning to New Orleans to resume preparation for Tulane's home game on Friday night against North Texas for the American Conference championship. He talked about using the transfer portal as a tool, recruiting with "his hair on fire," the addition of general manager Dave Caldwell, alignment with the UF administration and the process of building a staff that fits in the modern landscape of college football.
New Gators head coach Jon Sumrall speaks during his press conference Monday afternoon at the Heavener Football Training Center. (Photo: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
And, yes, with Spurrier and Meyer in the crowd along with Gators Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, Sumrall spoke about the importance of a high-powered offense to crank up the noise inside "The Swamp."
Sumrall spent his career as a defensive coach before becoming a head coach for the first time in 2021 at Troy (Ala.) University. Following two seasons at Troy, he has spent the past two seasons at Tulane.
"On offense, when I think of Florida football, I think of aggressive, I think of explosive, I think about mixing tempos, using it to your advantage, and dictating the game to the opponent,'' he said. "I think about stretching the field and threatening every blade of grass.
"I may be a defensive guy, but I want to be more of a defensive guy like somebody Coach Spurrier knows, Bob Stoops. I want the scoreboard to light up."
At one point during Sumrall's press conference, Spurrier offered advice on how to keep Gators fans happy.
"Win a lot of games,'' Spurrier quipped from his seat, drawing laughter.
Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin stepped to the podium to introduce Sumrall after a month-long search chock full of rumors, inaccuracies and a fixation for many in the fan base on Lane Kiffin. LSU introduced Kiffin as its new coach on Monday.
Following what was undoubtedly a stress-filled stretch, Stricklin appeared relaxed and confident that he had hired the right guy for the job.
Sumrall has a 42-11 record in four seasons as a head coach and drew interest from Auburn to replace Hugh Freeze, and his name surfaced as a potential candidate for openings at North Carolina, Purdue and UCF last year.
"This is a big step forward for Florida Gator football," Stricklin said. "We studied all kinds of leadership styles, program-building philosophies, recruiting strategies. Above all else, we were looking for someone who approaches winning games the same way the University of Florida does, as a daily, non-negotiable requirement.
Jon Sumrall, left, Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin, center, and men's basketball coach Todd Golden chat on Monday during Sumrall's visit to campus. (Photo: Nicole Scharff/UAA Communications)
"From our very first conversation, Jon Sumrall stood out."
Stricklin, Wuerffel and Duke Werner, UF's executive associate athletic director, conducted interviews with multiple candidates. Sumrall's intensity and overall plan for success were key points in winning over the Gators.
"Jon is relentless in his pursuit of competitive excellence,'' Stricklin said.
Sumrall agreed to a six-year, $44.7 million contract that pays him $7.45 million per year and includes an annual budget of $16.3 million to hire assistant coaches and support staff.
One of his final stops on a whirlwind Monday was Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. As Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" blasted across the empty stadium, Sumrall and his family took photos at midfield, while his image adorned the large video boards at each end.
Sumrall had a lot to unpack on the flight back to New Orleans. But over the course of around eight hours in town, in the language of the game, he left it all on the field.
He arrived with a fiery message to deliver, and he never backed down. Not for a second.
"I'm built for this job,'' he said. "I was made for this job. Winners win. I'm a winner. We're going to win. Here's the deal: I need everybody pulling the ropes in the same direction. If we're all Gators and we all want to win, let's do it together."
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