Jon Sumrall’s quiet connection to Liam Coen has now come full circle in Florida

For the first time since 2021, Jon Sumrall of the Florida Gators and Liam Coen of the Jacksonville Jaguars now live in the same state once again, bringing a friendly memory and a full circle moment for both of their families to Florida.

The two coaches worked together on the football staff at the University of Kentucky in 2021. Sumrall was a defensive coordinator, and Coen was the offensive coordinator. At the end of the 2021 season, Sumrall left after accepting the head coaching position at Troy University. Coen stayed behind to coach another year at Kentucky, and he didn’t just stay in any house; the Coen’s purchased the Sumrall’s house after he announced he would be moving to Alabama.

The two coaches have stayed in touch, becoming good friends throughout the year. And after four years apart, the two coaches now live just an hour apart from each other.

Jon Sumrall and Liam Coen have a long history together

Coen spoke with Mia O’Brien of ESPN Radio on Monday about his relationship with Sumrall.

“I’ve got so much respect for Jon Sumrall as a coach, as a man, as a leader of people, of men, of players,” said Coen. “He’s got so much compassion and competitiveness; he sees the game through a big picture lense in all three phases, he understands good football, he can recruit his tail off,” he mentioned.

That’s when Coen, with a smile on his face mentioned buying Sumrall’s house in Lexington in 2021.

“Him and his family are perfect fits, they are SEC all the way, and I can’t say enough good things about Summy,” said Coen. “He’s one of the guys I look up to in this profession, have a lot of respect for, and it’ll be to have him here as a close by neighbor.”

Though the Gators won’t be back at Everbank Stadium until the completion of the stadium of the future renovations in 2028, you can be sure Coen will catch a Gator game, and Sumrall will catch a Jaguars game as the two former coordinators reunite in their new home states.