While guiding Tulane toward the College Football Playoff, Jon Sumrall was also busy shaping his staff at Florida. He made two major hires that immediately drew national attention. ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer praised the moves as significant steps for the Gators.
Sumrall brought in Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White to lead Florida’s offense and defense. Faulkner’s offense at Georgia Tech ranked 12th in the country in total yards last season. As for White, he has earned a strong reputation as one of college football’s top defensive minds.
Palmer, who played for Steve Spurrier at Florida, called the hires “home runs.”
“That’s the thing that I think has been most impressive is…you’re going out and you’re getting a stalwart at d-coordinator in Brad White, who’s had a lot of success coordinating at Kentucky. And then, in my opinion, one of the best offensive coordinators in the country in Buster Faulkner, coming over from Georgia Tech,” Palmer said during the Tulane vs. Ole Miss game on Saturday. “He has done an outstanding job building his staff in Gainesville.”
Building blocks for success
Faulkner spent the last three seasons running Georgia Tech’s offense under Brent Key and helped develop quarterback Haynes King. King finished in the Top 10 of the Heisman Trophy voting this season, ranking among the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks. Georgia Tech averaged 329 yards of total offense per game, third-most in the FBS.
White took over Kentucky’s defense in 2018 and built consistently strong units. His 2022 team allowed just 311.4 yards per game, ranking 12th nationally.
Add in Sumrall’s record as a head coach, two years at Troy and two at Tulane, reaching the conference championship game each season, and Palmer expressed excitement about what he can do at Florida.
“One thing you’ve got to remember with Jon Sumrall is all this guy has done as a head coach is win,” Palmer said. “Two years as a head coach at Troy, goes to the conference championship game both years. Two years at Tulane, conference championship game both years, as well.
“He finds a way to motivate his guys. But no question, delegating and getting a staff right, he’s been hitting home runs.”
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