Jon Sumrall will be coaching with a heavy heart tomorrow after announcing the passing of his father, George Sumrall, who died last night.
The incoming Gators football coach shared the news through his X (fka Twitter) account. Sumrall will be leading Tulane into their College Football Playoff first-round game tomorrow afternoon against Ole Miss.
Love you always Dad! pic.twitter.com/U5s2fR6KCl
— Jon Sumrall (@CoachJonSumrall) December 19, 2025
"God gave us more time with my Dad than we thought we would get. He left this Earth last night with Mom by his side in the house my brother Joe and I grew up in. Dad was a fighter. I learned so much from him... being a man of faith, grit, hard work, attitude, service and more. Dad being there for our conference championship game two weeks ago and then the press conference in Gainesville a couple days later are memories I will never forget," Sumrall said in the statement.
Sumrall's dad challenged him to be great
Chris Vannini, a writer for The Athletic, shared a passage of a profile he wrote on Sumrall a few weeks ago that describes the close relationship Sumrall shared with his father.
Back when Sumrall was playing high school football in Huntsville, Alabama, he wanted to go to the top school in the city (Huntsville High), but Sumrall's dad said that he should go to the school the family was zoned for (Grissom High) and make them great. Sumrall led Grissom to a 12-win season and a berth in the state playoff semifinals as a senior before heading to Kentucky to play linebacker.
Growing up in Huntsville, Jon Sumrall wanted to play for the best high school in town. His dad told him to stick with the struggling team and make them good. And he did.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 19, 2025
It was not hard to see how much his dad meant to him. RIP. https://t.co/Rn7OCNwVwg https://t.co/S7KvObsjH1 pic.twitter.com/WS9pSwJeRA
Fans send their condolences through social media
Unfortunately, losing a loved one is something that nearly everyone can relate to, so it was no surprise that Florida fans, and college football fans in general, were quick to offer their support to the future coach as his emotions have been going in many different directions over the past day.
I hope Coach Sumrall coaches tomorrow like Favre played the day after his dad passed. A win for a G5 team in the playoff would be Legendary, doing it under the circumstances would be an All-Time Moment.
— GatorTruth133 (@GatorTruth133) December 19, 2025
Coach Sumrall. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. I was honored to meet your Dad in Troy one weekend. My dad was a giant -I know yours was too.
— Martha Dawn Railey (@MarthaDawnRaile) December 19, 2025
Sorry for your loss. Love to you, your family, and everyone who loved your dad. What a bunch of highs and lows for you recently. You have handled it all with grace. Your dad must have taught you well.
— Rob Goldson (@rgoldson) December 19, 2025
Regardless of where Sumrall's leads Tulane to a win tomorrow or not, it's clear that his father provided a strong foundation for him and instilled the work ethic that has helped him be successful in life.