Jon Sumrall’s final game with the Green Wave came on an emotional night. Just 48 hours earlier, his father, George, passed away after a long illness. Carrying that weight, the HC walked into Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and the 41–10 loss only made it tougher. Despite the circumstances, he kept his composure and delivered a heartfelt farewell, while also mentioning the absence of his father.

Sumrall couldn’t hold back his tears after the game, breaking down as he rushed to hug his mom. He later shared the moment on X, posting photos with the caption, “Hard day — love you mom — miss you dad!”

Jon Sumrall has always credited his father for playing a crucial role in his life, and that’s why his passing away was a big setback for him.

“It’s been hard. I’m not going to deny it,” Sumrall said post-game. “I called my mom Friday morning at about, I don’t know, 6 a.m. or whatever time to go to, while I was driving to the office. She picked up, and she said, ‘Jon, I was going to call you in about an hour, but Dad passed last night.’

My dad had been facing some struggles for a while,” Sumrall said. “And my mom’s tough as nails, and I said, ‘Mom, you don’t have to come to the game, but I’d love to have you there. If you want to be there, you make the call.’ She said, ‘I’m not missing the game.’ So, Mom’s here tonight.”

When Jon Sumrall was in high school, he wanted to transfer to a rival school with a strong football program. Instead, his father pushed him to stay home and attend his zoned school, Grissom High, asking him a simple but powerful question: “Why don’t you go to Grissom and make them good?” Jon took the challenge to heart. Grissom went from a 1–9 record his freshman year to reaching the state semifinals by his senior season.

That same mindset showed up again years later. When Alabama tried to flip Jon from his commitment to Kentucky, his father stepped in and told him to honor his word. So when his dad passed away at 77, the loss hit especially hard. Jon had been looking forward to having him there for his final game as Tulane’s head coach. While that couldn’t happen, his mother was still by his side in Oxford.

Yes, the Green Wave lost their playoff game, but having her there made the night bearable. George Sumrall spent much of his career working for the U.S. Department of Defense. But above everything else, he was always there for his son. Even while dealing with serious health issues, George showed up when it mattered most.

He was sitting front and center for Tulane’s 34–21 win over North Texas in the AAC championship just two weeks ago. He was also there in Gainesville, Florida, when Jon was officially introduced as Florida’s head coach. Now, as Jon Sumrall returns to Gainesville to begin his SEC head coaching journey, he does so knowing his father may not be beside him, but his support and blessings will always be with him.

Adios Jon Sumrall 

When you have built a program from ground zero to a playoff contender, leaving it will always be difficult. And the same emotion is rushing through Jon Sumrall when he posted his farewell message to the Green Wave. Sumrall quickly took to X and posted a heartfelt farewell message.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as the head football coach at Tulane University the last two years,” Sumrall wrote. “The players, staff and fans have provided us with experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. New Orleans has been home to our family twice. Tulane gave me my first shot as a full time FBS assistant coach as a 29 year old who had all the answers.

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“I cannot wait to invest in the lives of our players at Florida on and off the field. We are eager to connect with the Gainesville community and give back. You are going to get everything we have every single day.”

Under his guidance, Tulane compiled an 11-3 record, including a dominant 34-21 victory over North Texas in the American Athletic Conference championship on December 5. Jake Retzlaff’s two touchdown runs and Jamauri McClure’s 121 rushing yards sealed their first title under Jon Sumrall. “Championship teams walk together forever,” he wrote. Sumrall reflected on New Orleans as “home twice.” His family embraced local traditions like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, St. Patrick’s Day, Hogs for the Cause, Saints, Pelicans, and Green Wave games.

These two years created lifelong memories amid a 17-7 overall record in his two seasons. Looking ahead, Jon Sumrall pledged full commitment to Florida. We are eager to connect with the Gainesville community and give back, he said. The 43-year-old was hired as head coach on November 30 in a six-year deal averaging $7.45 million annually. Eager to invest in Gators players and Gainesville, he promised championship football. The HC is leveraging his proven track record of rapid turnarounds at Troy (23-4) and Tulane.