Mark Stoops will need new co-defensive coordinator. Troy has announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as its new head coach.

It will be a homecoming for Sumrall. The Huntsville, Alabama native was on Neal Brown’s Troy staff from 2015-18 in multiple roles, including linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.

“Troy University and the Troy community left an indelible mark on our family,” Sumrall said via the school announcement. “I am humbled and extremely grateful to Dr. Hawkins, Brent Jones and the entire selection committee for their trust in me to lead this storied football program. Ginny and I fell in love with Troy and can’t wait to return home and reconnect with the tremendous fan base. Troy Football has a proud tradition of success, and I look forward to leading this program back to a championship level.”

Sumrall, 39, coached Kentucky’s inside linebackers the past 3 seasons. He received the co-defensive coordinator title ahead of the 2021 season. He returned to Kentucky, his alma mater, in 2019 after spending a season at Ole Miss coaching linebackers.

Troy went 5-7 in 2021. Chip Lindsey was fired as Trojans on Nov. 21, before the team’s season finale.