Florida coaching rumors tracker: Gators find their Billy Napier replacement in Tulane's Jon Sumrall
Florida coaching rumors tracker: Gators find their Billy Napier replacement in Tulane's Jon Sumrall originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The coaching carousel is busy, and Florida found itself near the center of it.
While LSU and Penn State are among the major programs competing for some of the top coaches on the market, the Gators know their prestige still means something.
Florida was thought to be in the running to land Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, but the latest reports have the Gators moving on from that possibility. Florida ended up going with Tulane's Jon Sumrall as its next head coach.
The Sporting News tracked the latest Florida coaching rumors as the Gators search for Billy Napier's replacement. Follow along below to recap all the updates.
MORE:Tracking LSU's coaching search news and rumors
Florida coaching rumors tracker
Florida hires Jon Sumrall
Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Source: University of Florida
Despite a push from Tulane to retain Sumrall, he is leaving the program. Sumrall will finish out the 2025 season coaching with Tulane. After that, he will become the new head coach of the Gators.
Tulane extends offer in attempt to keep Jon Sumrall
Date: Saturday, Nov. 29
Source:Ross Dellenger
Tulane has extended an offer of more than $4M per year in an effort to retain its coach. He plans to meet with Tulane AD David Harris tomorrow to discuss his future on Sunday.
Tulane's Jon Sumrall is leading candidate for Florida job
Date: Saturday, Nov. 29
Source:Pete Thamel
A day after Florida moved on from Lane Kiffin, it appears as though the school has a new favorite target. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Sumrall is the new favorite to become the Gators' next head coach. Thamel added although Auburn is also interested in the Tulane head coach, the Tigers have shifted to other candidates given Florida's clear interest.
USF's Alex Golesh also in the mix for Florida job
Date: Friday, Nov. 28
Source:The Athletic
Florida could also be targeting a head coach that beat the Gators earlier this season. According to The Athletic's Chris Vannini and Bruce Feldman, the Gators are also considering USF's Alex Golesh. USF upset Florida 18-16 in Gainesville earlier this season. Golesh, who was previously Tennessee's offensive coordinator from 2018-2021 is 22-15 as a head coach.
The outlet also includes Jon Sumrall as a target.
Florida now targeting Tulane's Jon Sumrall
Date: Friday, Nov. 28
Source:On3Sports
With the Gators moving on from Lane Kiffin, Tulane had coach Jon Sumrall is now Florida's main target, according to On3. ESPN's Pete Thamel confirmed interest from both Florida and Auburn, and added that Sumrall is expected to make a decision on Sunday.
Sumrall is 41-11 as a head coach at Tulane and Troy. Tulane will play Charlotte on Saturday night, with a chance to go to the AAC title game with a win.
Florida moving on from Kiffin
Date: Friday, Nov. 28
Source:Zach Abolverdi
Zach Abolverdi of On3Sports first reported that Florida has moved on from Kiffin, citing the head coach's lack of communication in recent days. ESPN's Pete Thamel confirmed the report shortly thereafter.
The news isn't all that surprising — Florida appeared to be running in third behind Kiffin's options in LSU and Ole Miss in recent days. With Eli Drinkwitz and Clark Lea signing extensions, it's likely that Jedd Fisch and others are the new favorites for the Florida job. But it sounds like Gator Athletic Director Scott Stricklin is considering several options.
Kiffin speaks on LSU/Florida rumors ahead of Egg Bowl
Date: Friday, Nov. 28
Source: Lane Kiffin
Kiffin had his say on the rumors of his potential departure during a pre-game chat with SEC Network's Marty Smith. He didn't actually offer any tangible updates on his status, instead saying that the whispers that swirl around Ole Miss are "nothing new."
"This noise ... this has been going on for weeks. This isn't new for us."
Lane Kiffin on the rumors swirling about where he'll coach next season 👀
(via @SECNetwork)pic.twitter.com/hHJ6AIlHCA— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 28, 2025
Eli Drinkwitz signs an extension with Mizzou
Date: Thursday, November 27
Source: Pete Thamel
Drinkwitz has signed an extension with Missouri. ESPN's Pete Thamel reports that the salary increase will move Drinkwitz to an average annual salary of more than $10.7 million over the deal, with increased funding for staff and salary.
LSU believed to have momentum over Florida for Kiffin
Date: Nov. 22
Source:Matt Zenitz
According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz and John Talty, Kiffin is an obvious candidate for both the open Florida and LSU jobs. But according to CBS Sports, LSU is believed to have the momentum to ultimately land the Rebels' coach.
Florida still "in the mix" to land Kiffin behind LSU
Date: Nov. 22
Source:Pete Thamel
Appearing on ESPN's 'College GameDay' on Saturday morning, Pete Thamel reported that the main competition for Ole Miss appears to be LSU. Thamel added that the Tigers have made Kiffin their sole focus, whereas Florida has cast a wide net and has met with multiple candidates face to face.
Florida prepared to offer Kiffin $13M per year
Date: Nov. 21
Source:On3's Brett McMurphy
According to McMurphy, Florida is prepared to offer Kiffin a contract in the $13 million-per-year range. While LSU appears to be the more likely landing spot should Kiffin decide to leave Ole Miss, the Gators have not waved the white flag.
Ole Miss' extension offer comparable to LSU, Florida's contract proposals
Date: Nov. 21
Source: ESPN's Mark Schlabach
The Rebels have already offered a lengthy contract extension to Kiffin, one that is similar in value to that of the offers LSU and Florida have put forward, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach. He'll get eight days to figure out his future, with Schlabach reporting that Ole Miss officials want time to prepare a transition plan in case Kiffin does depart.
Announcement on Kiffin's future coming Nov. 29, per Ole Miss vice chancellor
Date: Nov. 21
Ole Miss vice chancellor Keith Carter vowed that an update on Kiffin's future will be provided next Saturday following the Rebels' Nov. 28 bout with Mississippi State. The administrator released a statement on X urging calm as Ole Miss readies for its rivalry game.
"Despite the outside noise, Coach Kiffin is focused on preparing our team for the Egg Bowl, and together, we want to ensure that our players and coaches can concentrate fully on next Friday's game," Carter wrote. "An announcement on Coach Kiffin's future is expected the Saturday following the game.
Let’s lock in and focus on keeping the Golden Egg! pic.twitter.com/5xPfDozhl2
— Keith Carter (@KeithCarterOM) November 21, 2025
Florida athletic officials meet with Kiffin's reps
Date: Nov. 21
Source: 247Sports' Graham Hall
247Sports' Graham Hall reported on Friday morning that officials from Florida's athletic department met with representatives of Lane Kiffin.
Florida athletic department officials met Thursday night with representatives of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, multiple sources told @Swamp_247.
READ:https://t.co/rZjcXyxPQ7pic.twitter.com/zukqJEFwNS— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall) November 21, 2025
Kiffin meeting with Ole Miss AD on Friday
Date: Nov. 20
Source: Chris Low
According to On3's Chris Low, Kiffin is set to meet with Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter on Friday:
NEWS: Ole Miss AD Keith Carter and head coach Kiffin are scheduled to meet this Friday, per Chris Lowe.
STORY: https://t.co/jesyF2wagu
via @on3sports | @clowfb— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) November 20, 2025
We should have a further indication on where things stand with Kiffin and Ole Miss after this meeting, or so you'd think.
Further reporting indicates Florida's Jon Sumrall meeting 'called off'
Date: Nov. 19
Source:Pete Nakos
While On3's Zach Abolverdi indicated earlier on Nov. 19 that Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall was expected to meet with Florida, On3's Pete Nakos then shot down those rumors a few hours later.
Per Nakos, the meeting between Sumrall and Florida has been "called off." Sumrall will reportedly no longer be interviewing with Florida on Thursday, with Albolverdi also saying that Sumrall is" removing his name from the mix in Florida’s coaching search."
Florida meeting with Tulane's Jon Sumrall
Date: Nov. 19
Source:Zach Abolverdi
Zach Abolverdi of On3Sports reported that Florida is expected to meet with Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall.
BREAKING: Florida to meet with Tulane coach Jon Sumrall about the Gators job.
DETAILS: https://t.co/iqwnEtP7Lupic.twitter.com/1NOuc7F991— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) November 19, 2025
Sumrall is 40-11 as a head coach, at both Troy and Tulane. He's led the Green Wave to an 8-2 start in 2025, and Tulane has a shot at the CFP as a Group of 5 team.
Kiffin asked if he expects to coach next week
Date: Nov. 19
Source:SEC Teleconference
During the weekly SEC Teleconference, Kiffin had several comments about his coaching future. First, he reiterated how happy he is at Ole Miss:
Lane Kiffin: "I love it here. It's been amazing and we're in the greatest run in the history of Ole Miss at this point... I'm just living in the moment."
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 19, 2025
He was also asked if he expects to be coaching at Ole Miss during the Rebels' rivalry game against Mississippi State. He responded in signature Lane fashion:
I asked Lane Kiffin if he expects to coach the Egg Bowl.
"Why would I not expect to coach next week? … We're gameplanning, we just practiced. I don't even understand how that would happen."— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 19, 2025
He also downplayed the timing of him being the subject of coaching rumors during Ole Miss' playoff run:
Lane Kiffin on the timing of this job rumor speculation with the CFP run ahead:
"Yeah, if a team wanted a playoff coach, this was bound to happen."— TigerDroppings (@TigerDroppings) November 19, 2025
Kiffin denies Ole Miss gave him deadline
Date: Nov. 18
Source: The Pat McAfee Show
Speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday, Kiffin denied reports that Ole Miss had given him an ultimatum to decide on his future by Nov. 28. While the Rebels are likely headed to the College Football Playoff, Kiffin's future is looming over the program as he considers offers from both Florida and Ole Miss.
Kiffin family visits Gainesville, Baton Rouge
Date: Nov. 17
Source: On3
After reports confirmed LSU flew Kiffin's family to Baton Rouge to tour the city on Monday, On3 confirmed the Kiffin family did a similar tour of Gainesville on Sunday.
Kiffin is faced with three decisions at the moment: stay at Ole Miss, leave for LSU, or leave for Florida, with both SEC programs making him the focus of their search.
During the SEC Teleconference on Nov. 19, Kiffin was asked about the trips to both cities. Unsurprisingly, he declined to give specifics:
Lane Kiffin is asked about what his family learned on trips to Gainesville and Baton Rouge
"I'm not getting in on any specualtion or stories that have to do with other jobs."— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) November 19, 2025
Paul Finebaum predicts Lane Kiffin will choose Florida
Date: Nov. 17
Source: The Matt Barrie Show
Appearing on "The Matt Barrie Show," ESPN's Paul Finebaum said he believes "everything seems to be pointing toward Florida" in the Kiffin sweepstakes,
While Finebaum didn't go into detail regarding that prediction, he admitted the weeks ahead could be a whirlwind for Kiffin as he decides his future and at least three schools await word.
MORE: Meet Lane Kiffin's family, most of which lives in Oxford
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