Tulane is thriving under Jon Sumrall’s leadership. Despite the recent loss, the Green Wave sits at 6–2 overall and 3–1 in the AAC. This has generated a lot of interest for the HC as the ongoing coaching carousel in CFB has left many Power 4 jobs in flux. Even though the 43-year-old said his focus is on the current schedule, uncertainty looms about whether he will leave the program.

Jon Sumrall took over Tulane in 2023, replacing Willie Fritz. It was a deal that locked his future through 2029, with an annual salary approaching $3 million. With that, he wasted no time making his mark, going 9–4 in his first season with the Green Wave. This success earned him an extension in December 2024. However, Tulane AD David Harris has kept the buyout and other details under wraps. Because the school isn’t subject to Freedom of Information Act requests as a private school.

“The landscape of college athletics is constantly evolving, and Jon’s vision helps to position us to succeed in this rapidly changing environment,” said Harris when announcing HC’s extension. Again, the length and value of his new deal remain undisclosed; the exact buyout if Sumrall were to leave is anyone’s guess. More importantly, with the HC’s latest statement regarding his coaching job at Tulane, the buyout now seems irrelevant.

When asked about the recent coaching rumors, Jon Sumrall was candid. “If my ultimate goal is just to be a Power Four head coach, I wouldn’t be at Tulane. I’ve had those opportunities,” stated Sumrall. “If my ultimate goal was just to make the biggest paycheck, I wouldn’t be at Tulane. Other people have offered me more money than I make here. I love where I’m at. I love what I do.” His reputation for building two winning programs has made him a hot commodity.

The HC quickly carved out a reputation as one of CFB’s brightest young minds. At Troy, he transformed the Trojans into a Group of Five powerhouse, racking up 23 wins and 2 conference titles in his two seasons. That success paved the way for Tulane, where Sumrall led the Green Wave to the AAC title game in 2024. Across 4 years as an HC, Sumrall boasts a 38–10 overall record and has led teams to 2 bowl appearances, going 1–1. With such success, coaching offers aren’t new to the Tulane HC.

That’s why he said, “I’ve dealt with it [coaching rumors] every year as a head coach. I’m so focused on where we are as a team, maybe even more so than ever.” Despite that, many programs are still interested in this coach for their head coaching positions.

Which programs could be a destination for Jon Sumrall?

Jon Sumrall seems locked in at Tulane, focused on building something special. This season, the Green Wave’s playoff hopes hinge on 3 things: QB Jake Retzlaff’s consistency, beating Memphis, and Sumrall’s steady hand on the sideline. Since joining the program last season, he’s guided them to a 15–7 record. But with the CFB landscape shifting fast, his stay at Tulane seems uncertain.

LSU recently fired Brian Kelly, and top programs like PSU, Florida, UCLA, and Arkansas have all opened their doors. That kind of instability can make even a rising star at a school like Tulane a tempting target. Reporter Blake Ruffino confidently said, “Jon Sumrall is the next head coach of LSU on November 20, whatever. We’re going to a press conference, and we’re there… I am ecstatic, because this is a football guy, he recruits really hard, and look what he did. It’s Ole Miss, Kansas State, BYU their team.” Even Auburn has reportedly emerged as a top destination for Sumrall to replace Hugh Freeze.

Still, the Green Wave HC insists he’s all-in at Tulane. But history reminds us to stay alert. Remember, Brian Kelly was publicly denying moves the same season he left Notre Dame for LSU? Nothing stays quiet for long, and we’ll see what decision Jon Sumrall makes now or at the end of this season.