Tulane's Jon Sumrall explains his approach to being linked to other head coaching jobs

Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, who has been linked to multiple Power Four jobs since he departed Troy for Tulane prior to the 2024 season, explained his approach to being linked to other head coaching jobs at Friday’s American Conference Media Days Event.

The 43-year-old head coach had previously been linked to potential openings at North Carolina (which went to Bill Belichick), Oklahoma and Kentucky (his alma mater), but he stayed put and is now heading into his second season at Tulane. In 2024, Sumrall led the Green Wave to a 9-5 record and a berth in the American Conference Championship Game.

“I actually had a very transparent conversation with our team similar to that question about opportunities that present in life this past week,” Sumrall said. “I like to do it before we get to the season and then understand where your mindset needs to be. I’m a believer in ‘be where your feet are.’ Like, I’m not looking anywhere else than right where I’m at.”

“I’ve found often in life that you may be in a situation and look across the fence and see someone else’s grass and think it looks a little greener, but you could go over there and find out the grass is fake. It doesn’t always make you happier. I LOVE, LOVE where I’m at. I love it. I got four young kids in awesome schools. My wife loves New Orleans. If you can’t love New Orleans, you’ve got a problem. It’s one of the coolest cities in the world.”

At Kentucky, Sumrall was an inside linebackers coach/co-defensive coordinator from 2019-2021. Since then, Sumrall has led Troy (23-4) and Tulane (9-5) to a combined 32-9 record over the past three seasons.

“For me, I’m firmly planted right where I’m at. I told our team a few days ago, this is my 21st year coaching college football. My first year I think I made $15,000 total with a camp stipend and this other stuff. I don’t know that in this point in life that more money brings you more happiness. I think you find joy in doing the job really, really well with people you love and care about and help them grow and develop to be their best. And so our jobs as coaches is about serving and developing our players. I love who I get to do it with and I’m passionate. I’ve made it very clear that I don’t know if I’m gonna die coaching at Tulane. I don’t know that. But I’d be cool if that was the case.”