Where will Jon Sumrall be coaching next? The question never seems to go away. Just three weeks into the season, the former Kentucky LB is once again the talk of the coaching carousel. On Saturday, he will return to a familiar stage as Tulane takes on Ole Miss (+10.5) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Interestingly, Sumrall coached LBs there in 2018 and made his head-coaching debut with Troy on that same field in 2022. Now, with Ole Miss set to host Tulane, all eyes are on Sumrall again, and the rival’s HC is already betting he’ll be calling the shots in the SEC by next season.

The Ole Miss HC said he sees the Tulane leader climbing fast. “I told my staff yesterday, I feel like I’m going to be in head coaches meetings in January with Coach Sumrall,” said Kiffin. “That’s how quick his rise has been.” So, for Kiffin, it’s not a matter of if, but when Sumrall takes over an SEC program. But here, Green Waves News reminded everyone that Jon Sumrall isn’t in a rush to leave New Orleans. His family loves it here; two of his kids were even born in the city. On top of that, at Tulane, he’s only just begun, with a clear path to the CFP and one of the best jobs in CFB. So, would he bolt for the SEC?

That question can wait. Simply, what matters now is Tulane, this season, and stacking wins. And Jon Sumrall is planting roots, building culture, and setting a foundation that feels built to last. So, finishing the job in New Orleans is the mission, and that’s the real story. And on September 17, Sumrall kept it short and sharp on social media, posting simply, “🗣️ 🌊.” Just enough to let everyone know: the wave is rolling, and the focus is right where it should be. But Jon Sumrall’s SEC ties run deep.

Sumrall’s climb has been nothing short of electric. Two Sun Belt titles at Troy. A quick turnaround at Tulane, capped with a 9–5 debut and an AAC title game run. Fast-forward to 2025: the Green Wave sits at 3–0, and Sumrall owns a sparkling 35–9 career record. His name surfaced when Kentucky’s Mark Stoops was briefly linked to Texas A&M after the Wildcats’ 2023 win over Louisville.

And while nothing came of it then, Sumrall remains one of the hottest names in the Power Four. Surely, for now, he’s focused on Tulane, but with the SEC spotlight waiting, a statement win over Ole Miss could be the springboard to a major job as soon as 2026. And interestingly, it’s not just Lane Kiffin singing Jon Sumrall’s praises; his late father, legendary coach Monte Kiffin, once did the same.

Jon Sumrall’s rising coaching ceiling

Monte Kiffin, the late NFL legend, left Jon Sumrall with words he’ll never forget after his first game as Troy’s HC: “Our team was better than y’all. But man, y’all are playing hard. Y’all are tough. Keep doing what you’re doing.” Now, years later, Lane Kiffin echoes that same respect, praising Tulane under Sumrall: “His teams are really disciplined, they play hard, they tackle well. He’s got a fundamental system, and he wins.” But here’s the question: is Sumrall headed back to his Kentucky roots?

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg isn’t buying the idea that Jon Sumrall is destined to return to Kentucky. In fact, he made it clear that assuming a Lexington homecoming is a mistake. “Tulane’s Jon Sumrall is still the top candidate from a non-Power 4 school. I’d be a bit surprised if he’s not leading an SEC program in 2026 or shortly after,” wrote Rittenberg. Although Sumrall’s resume speaks for itself. But Rittenberg cautioned fans against tunnel vision.

“He will be the top name mentioned whenever the Mark Stoops era ends at Kentucky, but his return is far from a guarantee. Sumrall could look to other SEC jobs where making the CFP seems a bit more realistic,” stated Rittenberg. So, the message is clear: Sumrall has options, and the SEC spotlight is already waiting.