What Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer Said About Florida Hiring Jon Sumrall

The Florida Gators hired Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall as its 31st head football coach.

Former Florida Gators head coaches Urban Meyer and Steve Spurrier gave their thoughts on new head coach Jon Sumrall. | Kim Klement-Imagn Images

GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- A pair of legendary head coaches who coached with the Florida Gators are putting their support behind new head coach Jon Sumrall.

Steve Spurrier (1990-2001) and Urban Meyer (2005-10) have each praised the program for hiring Sumrall, who has led Tulane to back-to-back appearances in the American Conference championship game and has the Green Wave on the cusp of the College Football Playoff.

"I'm 100 percent supportive of the hiring of Coach Sumrall," Spurrier said. "He is an excellent choice and has the track record to prove it. He is a young coach on the way up and certainly has a winning record and produced winning teams. He is coaching in his fourth straight league's championship game Friday night. He's a proven winner and he will bring a little more fire and emotion to our team."

The Florida Gators hired Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall on Sunday. | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Meyer, meanwhile, was used by Florida in its coaching search and spoke to Sumrall about the job prior to his hiring.

"What a special day for Gator Nation," Meyer said. "Jon is one of the top young coaches in the game. I've studied Coach Sumrall and have gotten to spend some time with him. His teams are tough, physical and he creates a competitive environment. I look forward to getting to know him even more and the special things he will do at Florida."

Multiple former players have also pledged their support for Sumrall's hiring.

Sumrall, who said he will "assemble an incredible staff, including an offensive coordinator" that understands that an explosive offense at Florida "isn't optional - it's mandatory," was praised by former UF quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner for this promise.

"I got the chance to talk with Jon Sumrall and I'm really excited for him to be our new coach!" Wueffel said. "He is a winner. His passion is contagious. He is a great leader of men. And for those offensive minded folks—like me—he understands us and is committed to hiring an elite OC.  I'm as excited to be a Gator as I've been in a long time."

Other players who have reacted to the hire include Chris Doering, Brandon Spikes, Ciatric Fason and Jacquez Green.

I’ve talked to multiple friends who’ve played with @CoachJonSumrall and each can’t say enough about how good a coach and football mind he is.

Excited to rally around him and put my full support behind him, his assistants and our players as we move forward! Go Gators! https://t.co/Ddor7rcenb

— Chris Doering (@ChrisDoering) November 30, 2025

To The Best Fan Base in all of college football…Gator Nation. Y’all showed up for me every snap, every season. Now our players and new HC need that same energy. Let’s show @CoachJonSumrall what the Gator Standard is all about and welcome him into The Swamp. Do what you do best.… https://t.co/urwD5E7JNB

— BrandonSpikes55 (@brandonspikes55) November 30, 2025

If Sumrall is our coach then im gonna ride with him. I mean Indiana has a G5 coach, and we see what he is doing. Its a new day for Gator Nation. Lets get back to our winning ways. True Story

— Ciatrick Fason (@Star_ReadyAth) November 30, 2025

Support the coach. Cleanse your timeline from negativity. Misery loves Company. pic.twitter.com/mOAqelAqYp

— 𝐃. 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐳 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 (@JacquezGreen) November 30, 2025

Sumrall was hired on Sunday to replace the fired Billy Napier as the program pivoted away from Lane Kiffin, who has since left Ole Miss for LSU. Sumrall, 43, is 42-11 across a pair of two-year tenures at Troy, where he won two Sun Belt titles, and at Tulane.

The Green Wave will play North Texas on Friday in the American Conference championship game, where a win would likely propel them to the College Football Playoff. Sumrall will be introduced as Florida's head coach on Monday but will remain at Tulane until their season concludes.

"The University of Florida is one of the premier programs in college football, and it's an incredible honor to serve as the head football coach," Sumrall said. "I believe in building a team rooted in toughness, accountability and a relentless competitive spirit. Florida has everything necessary to compete at the highest level—the resources, the support, the tradition and the passion of Gator Nation. My family and I are excited to get to work."