Who Is Jon Sumrall?
Jon Sumrall is an American college football coach and the head coach of the Tulane Green Wave, widely regarded as one of the sport’s rising figures after successful roles at Troy, Tulane, and Kentucky.
He built his reputation as a defensive-minded coach and program builder, earning national attention for his ability to elevate teams quickly and compete with more established programs.
From Troy Success to Tulane’s Big Stage
Before taking over at Tulane, Sumrall turned Troy into a powerhouse within the Sun Belt Conference, leading the Trojans to consecutive league titles and one of the best overall records in the country over a two-year span.
That success, combined with his prior experience as a Tulane assistant and as a defensive coach at Kentucky, positioned him to return to New Orleans as head coach and guide the Green Wave into the national spotlight and ultimately the College Football Playoff.
Family Tragedy and College Football Playoff Pressure
On the eve of Tulane’s first College Football Playoff appearance, Sumrall announced that his father had died, casting an emotional shadow over what was already the biggest game in program history.
Facing intense public attention, Sumrall has tried to honor his father’s memory while keeping his team focused, turning personal grief into a source of motivation and perspective for himself, his players, and the wider Tulane community.