Jon Sumrall is just one day away from coaching in one of the biggest games of his life, as he leads Tulane into the College Football Playoff on Saturday night. However, this morning, unfortunate news has come the way of the Sumrall family.
On Friday, Sumrall revealed the passing of George Sumrall, his father, on social media. He did so with a post honoring his father’s memory following his death at home on Thursday night.
“God gave us more time with my Dad than we thought we would get. He left this Earth last night with my Mom by his side in the house my brother Joe and I grew up in,” Sumrall wrote. “Dad was a fighter. I learned so much from him…being a man of faith, grit, hard work, attitude, service and more. Dad being there for out conference championship game two weeks ago and then the press conference in Gainesville a couple days later are memories I will never forget. He was always there for me and I know he still will be watching!
“It doesn’t get sweeter or tougher than my Mom! Mom and Dad have set a great example for Ginny and I on marriage, parenting and commitment,” wrote Sumrall. “Love you always Dad!”
George Sumrall did get to see what has been the biggest season so far of his son’s career. In his year at Tulane, Sumrall brought his career record as a head coach to 43-11 (.796) after the Green Wave went 11-2, as they won the American Championship and, with that, earned a spot in the College Football Playoff as the first of two representatives this postseason out of the Group of Five.
After being one of the top candidates across college football’s coaching cycle this year, Sumrall would be hired by Florida on November 30th and his dad was able to attend his introductory press conference on December 1st. He will then head to The Swamp to take over as the next head of the Gators at the end of the Green Wave’s run in the CFP.
Now, Sumrall will have to travel with a heavy heart to Oxford. Amidst all that was going on already for him on and off the field, this will be even more for him to handle as No. 11 Tulane plays No. 6 Ole Miss inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, which is a rematch from the regular season from a game back in September.