Jon Sumrall on Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer in attendance at his introduction: 'I look forward to leaning on them'

As Florida officially welcomed in a new era of the program, two old faces were back in Gainesville. Both Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer attended the introductory press conference for Jon Sumrall.

The recent Florida hire got to meet with the duo beforehand. Now, Sumrall plans to involve Spurrier and Meyer moving forward. He knows they are just a couple of clicks on his phone from connecting, wanting advice on how to find success in Gainesville.

“It’s a challenge I embrace,” Sumrall said on replicating the two coaches. “It’s an exhilarating challenge, that’s probably a better word. I don’t know if I can measure myself to Coach Spurrier or Coach Meyer anytime soon. Got a long way to go. I look forward to leaning on them, asking their opinion and advice. I feel very privileged to have to great resources like them, they’re a phone call away.

“I got a chance to speak with both of them before getting here. As a coach, I admire coaches and really good ones. Well, I’ve got two great ones here. So, I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have a phone a friend in those two.”

Spurrier and Meyer are responsible for the three national championships won by Florida. Meyer got two of those, taking home the BCS crystal ball in 2006 and 2008. You have to flash all the way back to 1996 for Spurrier’s title, doing so by beating arch rival Florida State in a rematch in the Sugar Bowl.

Sumrall himself is still looking to add a national championship to his resume. An opportunity might be there this season, still coaching at Tulane until the Green Wave’s run is over. Beating North Texas in the American Championship Game might put Tulane in the College Football Playoff, meaning Florida will have to wait even longer for Sumrall to officially get on campus.

Eventually, the goal is to join Spurrier and Meyer with rings at Florida. Finding yourself in the conversation as that duo puts you in the legendary category. A lot of work is there to be done and Sumrall knows where to go if advice is needed.

All of this leads into Sumrall’s official debut on Sept. 5, when Florida Atlantic comes to town. Hopefully, the two former head coaches are able to be in attendance to usher Sumrall into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with an in-state matchup.