By Michael GallagherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAs the college football world waits with bated breath to find out where Lane Kiffin will be in 2026, other college programs are beginning to wind down their own head-coaching searches.
So far, four schools have hired new head coaches during this cycle.
James Franklin landed with Virginia Tech after being fired from Penn State back in October, while Colorado State poached Jim Mora Jr. from UConn, Stanford poached Tavita Pritchard from the Washington Commanders, and Eric Morris jumped ship from North Texas to Oklahoma State.
And while there are a few other moves expected to be finalized in recent days, one of the more intriguing teams to watch is the Florida Gators.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, Florida has a contract already in pace with its top Kiffin consolation prize: Tulane’s Jon Sumrall.
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“(Ole Miss AD Keith) Carter has already begun this week engaging with candidates, most notably Tulane’s Jon Sumrall and USF’s Alex Golesh, sources tell Yahoo Sports,” Dellenger wrote. “However, Florida pivoted from Kiffin to Sumrall, as Yahoo Sports reported on Tuesday, and the Gators and Sumrall are believed to have a deal in principle. A final decision from Sumrall is expected by Sunday.”
Up until this weekend, Sumrall was the favorite to be the next head coach at Auburn. Steven Godfrey of the Washington Post even reported that Sumrall to Auburn was basically a done deal.
“As of right now, Jon Sumrall is going to Auburn,” he emphatically stated.
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But when Kiffin reportedly eliminated the Gators from consideration, the school immediately shifted its attention to Sumrall, and he’s now the current betting favorite to accept the job with 80% odds, according to Kalshi.
The 43-year-old coach has a 42-11 career record inf our seasons with Troy and Tulane. He was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2022 in his first season with Troy. Sumrall has led the Green Wave to a 10-2 record this season, and they’re on the College Football Playoff bubble.
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