Lane Kiffin predicts Tulane’s Jon Sumrall will be SEC head coach in 2026
By Jyesha Nance
Published:
For the first time in his head coaching career, Lane Kiffin will square off against Jon Sumrall, as Ole Miss hosts Tulane in Oxford on Saturday in one of the most intriguing nonconference matchups of the season. The two have never met on opposite sidelines before, but Kiffin hinted that this may be the start of a more regular coaching showdown.
On Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Kiffin was asked about Sumrall being linked to potential openings in the SEC. Kiffin was amused by the question, revealing it wouldn’t surprise him if Sumrall lands an SEC gig.
“It’s funny you bring that up,” Kiffin said. “I told my staff yesterday, I said, ‘I feel like I’m going to be in head coach’s meetings in the conference’ — I think our first one is in January — ‘with Coach Sumrall.’ So, it’s funny you bring that up.”
Sumrall has built an impressive resume, entering this game with a 12-4 record as the Green Wave’s head coach since taking the job in 2024. Sumrall’s resume prior to Tulane is notable as well. He posted a 23-4 overall record as the head coach at Troy for two seasons and led the Trojans to back-to-back Sun Belt championships in 2022 and 2023.
His rapid rise has not gone unnoticed. Sumrall has already been linked to potential SEC openings, notably when Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops was connected to the Texas A&M opening last year. Sumrall’s SEC connections run deep as he played at Kentucky, coached there as an assistant, and even had a one-year stint at Ole Miss as a linebackers coach.
Kiffin isn’t alone in his forecast. Last week, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg mentioned Sumrall for a potential SEC gig.
[H/T On3]
