In a significant move for their football program, the University of Florida has appointed Jon Sumrall from Tulane as their new head coach. This decision comes after their initial preference, Lane Kiffin, opted for a position with LSU. Sumrall’s hiring was announced on Sunday, marking a new chapter for the Gators as they aim to strengthen their team dynamics.

Sumrall has agreed to a six-year contract worth $44.7 million, inclusive of performance-based incentives. An insider privy to the negotiations confirmed these details, though they spoke under the condition of anonymity since the financial specifics haven’t been publicly disclosed. This arrangement will see Sumrall earning an average of $7.45 million each year.

At 43 years old, Sumrall is set to remain with Tulane’s Green Wave, who are ranked 22nd, through their upcoming American Conference title match and possibly the College Football Playoff, should Tulane secure a spot in the 12-team tournament.

The Gators are also nearing a deal with Dave Caldwell, a seasoned executive known for his tenure in the NFL. Caldwell’s extensive experience includes a Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles during his five-year stint and a significant role in shaping the Jacksonville Jaguars team that reached the AFC championship game during his eight years there, from 2013 to 2020.

In his new role as general manager, Caldwell is expected to oversee Florida’s salary cap management and player evaluation, especially as college football navigates the complexities introduced by the transfer portal and the increasing relevance of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. This strategic hire underscores Florida’s commitment to evolving with the changing landscape of college sports.

Sumrall played linebacker at Kentucky (2002-04) and returned to his alma mater for a three-year stint before becoming Troy’s head coach in 2022. He won consecutive Sun Belt championships in two seasons with the Trojans and then enjoyed similar success at Tulane.

Sumrall is 19-7 in two years in New Orleans and led the Green Wave to the American championship game both seasons. So he has made four league title games in four years as a head coach. The Gators are hoping he’s Urban Meyer 2.0 and not Billy Napier 2.0.

“Not many coaches win big at two different non-Power programs, and even fewer do it as quickly as Jon has done it,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said. “He joins rare company — coaches like Urban Meyer, Brian Kelly and Willie Fritz — who’ve delivered immediate success at multiple stops. Jon’s track record of rapid turnarounds speaks directly to his leadership and the culture he establishes.”

Sumrall had been considered a possibility at Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss. Florida made a late push when Kiffin’s interest in the Gators waned. Florida fans are likely to view him as a consolation prize, another gamble from a Group of Five conference.

Sumrall replaces Napier, who was fired in mid-October and went 22-23 over four seasons in Gainesville. Napier was nicknamed “Sun Belt Billy” because he often looked in over his head in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.

Going back to Louisiana for another G5 coach? And a defensive guy to boot? That’s a bold move for Stricklin, who is sure to draw the ire of the Florida faithful for failing to land Kiffin.

He was roundly booed at a championship celebration to honor men’s basketball coach Todd Golden and his title-winning team in April. Now, the fan base is calling for his job.

A website titled FireScottStricklin.com documents Stricklin’s shortcomings, and some fans organized a rally Sunday outside Florida Field to promote Stricklin’s “immediate removal.”

But Stricklin seemingly has the support of the Board of Trustees, which gave him a three-year contract extension in June and allowed him to conduct a coaching search that included roughly 10 interviews without interference.

There were rumors and reports about boosters getting involved and straining relationships with Kiffin and his camp. But Stricklin made it clear he was the only one making the hire. Kiffin chose LSU after a public tug-of-war involving all three schools.

Kiffin’s family members took scouting trips to Gainesville and Baton Rouge, and he met with administrators and fundraisers on several occasions. The trip to Gainesville was underwhelming, according to people familiar with the search, and high school football in the area left plenty to be desired.

Florida even turned to Heisman Trophy winners Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel during its pursuit of Kiffin, who eventually slowed communication with UF officials to the point where the Gators decided they had to move on in a crowded market.

Now, Sumrall will be counted on to lead a downtrodden program back to prominence in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.

Tulane’s numbers are far from gaudy: The Green Wave rank 39th in the country in total offense and 64th in total defense. Sumrall is expected to hire outside coordinators and an NFL-style general manager to help him rebuild in Gainesville.

The Gators (4-8) clearly have talent and ended a dismal season with one of their best performances, a 40-21 victory against rival Florida State in the Swamp in which running back Jadan Baugh ran for a career-high 266 yards and two touchdowns and DJ Lagway threw for three scores.