It’s head on a swivel SZN. You can write an entire post, and then delete it instantly because things have changed, not that I know from experience. Things move quickly when the Coaching Carousel spins, and that’s been the case today for the Florida Gators and their football fans.
Zach Abolverdi from On3’s Gators Online reported on Wednesday afternoon that Florida planned to meet with Jon Sumrall on Thursday. About an hour after news of the meeting went public, Pete Nakos reported it was canceled.
The Tulane head coach has the Green Wave as the No. 24 team in the latest CFB rankings, making them the final selection in the field. The former Kentucky linebacker and assistant won a pair of Sun Belt Titles at Troy, and took Tulane to the AAC Championship after his first season in New Orleans.
[KSBoard: What to watch on the Coaching Carousel during the most important stretch]
Sumrall has been connected to multiple head coaching vacancies this offseason, but Auburn has the most legitimate buzz. He’s a Huntsville, AL native who’s recruited the area well and appears to be the most sensible hire. Now is a good time to remind you that “sensible” and “Auburn” go together like lamb and tuna fish.
The vacancy at LSU makes sense from afar, but that’s just not the case in the state of Louisiana. There’s a superiority complex that prevents them from considering candidates who coached at other institutions in the state.
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Florida just fired Billy Napier, who not that long ago was coaching in the state of Louisiana. He was the hottest name from the Group of Five ranks and could seemingly handpick his next destination. Sumrall fits that criteria too similarly for Florida to go right back to that well.
Even if it would not have been celebrated by Florida fans, it’s clear that this was some catnip to appease them. The Lane Kiffin drama is at a fever pitch. What he does next is anyone’s guess. Athletic director Scott Stricklin can’t be stuck up a creek without a paddle if they can’t lure the Ole Miss head coach to Gainesville.
However, it’s clear a tactical error was made. By letting this reported meeting go public, it forced Sumrall’s reps to nip it in the bud. Is that the end of the story between these two parties? Never rule anything out during this crazy coaching carousel.
Where will the Gators turn to if they can’t get Kiffin or Sumrall? Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Washington’s Jedd Fisch are two candidates who make a lot of sense, but this search feels like it may go off the rails. It would be a real shame to see the Florida football program spiral, a real shame.