$15 Million Coach, LSU Football Target Emerging As Key Candidate For Florida Gators

The LSU Tigers have multiple targets on the board, fast-rising coach set to visit with an SEC rival.

Courtesy of LSU Football.

As the LSU Tigers navigate a coaching search in Baton Rouge, the program is considering multiple options for the gig following the firing of Brian Kelly in late October.

Ole Miss Rebels shot-caller Lane Kiffin has emerged as the No. 1 target for the school, but there are other names in the mix for the job in the Bayou State.

Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall has emerged as a hot commodity across this year's coaching carousel with multiple SEC schools taking a closer look.

The Auburn Tigers remain a favorite for Sumrall, but the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators are also programs that have expressed interest in the Green Wave's decision-maker.

Despite the outside noise surrounding Sumrall and his future with Tulane, he remains dialed in on reaching the College Football Playoff this season.

Sep 20, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (left) and Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall (right) embrace after the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

"If my ultimate goal is just to be a Power Four head coach, I wouldn't be at Tulane. I've had those opportunities," Sumrall said recently. "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. 

"I love what I do with ... I told my team, 25 years from now, can I tell you I'm gonna be sitting here coaching? I don't know that, but I wouldn't be mad about it. I'm cool. Like, I wouldn't be pissed about that. It'd be cool, I love New Orleans.

"I love everything about my job.' I'm so freaking micro-focused on going 1-0 every week that, all that speculation, I don't pay attention to it. When people bring it up to me, I'm like, 'Get away from me. Don't even talk.' Like, I ain't got no time for it."

On Wednesday afternoon, On3 Sports' Zach Abolverdi reported that the Florida Gators were set to interview the Tulane head coach as they do their due diligence in this year's cycle.

NEW: Florida is set to meet with Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, @ZachAbolverdi reports👀

Intel: https://t.co/cQXX0yR939 pic.twitter.com/efFp4Ks5z7

— On3 (@On3sports) November 19, 2025

But less than one hour later, the meeting has been called off with Sumrall taking things a step further and removing his name entirely from the coaching search for the Florida Gators.

UPDATE: UF’s scheduled meeting with Jon Sumrall has been called off and Sumrall is removing his name from the mix in Florida’s coaching search, per @PeteNakos https://t.co/ZArq53VmT5

— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) November 19, 2025

Kiffin has emerged as the top target for the LSU and Florida jobs, but the Gators are also keeping options open with Sumrall now set to meet with the administration.

According to Kalshi, Sumrall has the third-best chance to become LSU's next head coach behind Kiffin and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, but it's clear other schools will be diving deeper into the Green wave shot-caller.

The Tulane Green Wave came in as the No. 12 seed in the latest College Football Playoff bracket with the team looking to make the cut as the 2025 season winds down.

More LSU News:

Elite LSU Football Commit Reaffirms Pledge Despite Ohio State, Ole Miss Pushing

Five Players LSU Football Must Keep After Brian Kelly's Firing, Including DJ Pickett

ESPN Insider Labels Lane Kiffin 'Top Target' for LSU Football, Florida Gators

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