Florida · SECSumrall takes over Florida with an SEC climb in view
The first-year Gators coach inherits a 4-8 team and faces road games at Texas on Oct. 17 and Georgia on Oct. 31.
SEP 3, 2026
The Pate State · Editorial IllustrationFlorida's 2025 overall and conference record
Double-digit-win threshold Florida has not reached since 2019
Sumrall's college head-coaching experience
01 · The NewsSumrall's SEC Climb
Jon Sumrall will begin his first season at Florida on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Gators open against Florida Atlantic after going 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the SEC in 2025.
Sumrall arrives after taking Troy to success and leading Tulane to the College Football Playoff. He has spent his entire head-coaching career in the transfer-portal and NIL era, and he believes that experience fits the job in Gainesville.
“I've always handled chaos well, it's something I'm very comfortable with. I'm adaptable and I'm flexible, and I think you have to be in this climate,” Sumrall said.
Sumrall said the roster gives him a starting point: Florida has returning talent, transfer additions and a stronger commitment to NIL and revenue-sharing efforts. The program’s larger support staff also allows him to spend more time coaching and developing players while others help manage the roster’s financial structure.
“The University of Florida is still one of those places. It's got strong brand affiliation. The logo still means something, and we can get anybody to pick up our phone call,” Sumrall said.
The schedule will put that roster-building process against major tests. Florida visits Texas on Oct. 17 and Georgia on Oct. 31, after opening with Florida Atlantic, Campbell, Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri and South Carolina. Florida’s first chance to show what has changed comes at 7:45 p.m. ET on Sept. 5.
Sumrall’s fifth season as a college head coach is his first with the resources and expectations of Florida. He said the support around him lets him focus on the part of the job he values most — coaching — while the Gators try to catch up.
“I do feel like we're in a place where we're hungry for success, and when you're hungry for success, you're forced to look at every possible way to adapt, evolve, and grow, because you know you have to catch up.”
02 · The StakesThe Climb
Florida has not won at least 10 games since 2019. Billy Napier was fired during last season after finishing his Florida tenure with a sub-.500 record, leaving Sumrall to show whether his success at smaller programs can translate to the SEC. The answer will shape whether Florida has started a climb back toward SEC and College Football Playoff contention or another coaching rebuild without immediate progress.
03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Can Florida improve on its 4-8 record?
Florida’s first chance to show what has changed comes at 7:45 p.m. ET on Sept. 5.
Does the roster-building process hold up against major tests?
Florida visits Texas on Oct. 17 and Georgia on Oct. 31.