Jon Sumrall (Tulane Athletics Photo)
Maddy Hudak is a sideline reporter for Tulane football and posted some interesting comments from Tulane coach Jon Sumrall, a former Kentucky player and defensive coordinator, from his weekly press conference.
Sumrall is one of the nation’s hottest coaching names right now and obviously is being prominently mentioned as the possible next coach at Kentucky if Mark Stoops is not back next season.
But pay attention to what Sumrall said this week:
““I’m not really into reflecting on anything right now. I’m into coaching this football team. The one thing that is consistent, I’ve dealt with it every year as a head coach, you know what I mean? I think I get this question every year,” Sumrall said. “I’m so focused on where we’re at as a team, maybe even more so than ever. I was a maniac at practice two days ago and people probably felt like I was on drugs because I fear complacency. I fear distraction. I’m the head football coach of Tulane. I’ll talk about Tulane, I’ll talk about playing UTSA. … I got enough problems with this football game to not be distracted by anything other than them.
“So, look, coaching changes happen in the middle of the year. My heart breaks for those programs, players, families involved, all that stuff. I think what people forget is there are humans involved. These people aren’t robots, right? I don’t care if they’re talking about coaches, assistant coaches, wives, kids, the players. I addressed our team in July that guys, in the season is never a time to talk about what is next. In the season is the time to worry about winning a game each week. At the end of the year, our players have to make decisions. We lost half our roster last year, so it’s not just coaches anymore.
“I told the guys, let’s let the season be the season. Let’s not allow BS distractions of somebody putting out a speculative article about who could be a candidate here or who could transfer where. Let’s just play football games, and have fun doing it together. I’m more focused on this team this week than I’ve ever been on anything. I will not be blindsided by somebody saying, ‘Hey, you should consider doing this.’
“Well, I got one job offer right now that’s been offered to me. It’s to be the head coach at Tulane and I’m all in on that.”
For anyone who knows Sumrall — and I have known him for almost 25 years — that is vintage Sumrall. He’s blunt but honest. I truly believe he’s focused on Tulane and this season.
6 Responses
I believe he is too LV. But, maybe Barnhart is talking to someone who is talking to someone that is talking to Sumrall.
Sumrall gave the correct answer…He is the coach of Tulane period. He will address other coaching opportunities after the season is over.
I have heard that LSU is interested in him and some talk about Saban going back to LSU.
LSU is hard place to coach. If you don't win 11 games a year, you are quickly out the door. That is a lot of pressure on anyone.
UK needs to offer to pay Barnie’s salary at any program of any size. He will hire Stoops with a secret unbreakable contract and UK will get rid of 2 birds with one stone.
Extremely high level coaching positions are beckoning for any coach willing to risk being fired in a few years if they don’t perform at an elite level.
Is it really that painful to be fired and walk away with $50 Million.That should be enough to put a lot of disappointment & sadness to bed.
Before UK can even dream of a REAL HC, the AD needs to be calls out for his repeated dumb contracts!
It is so refreshing to hear someone, anyone, comment about the stupid one-way contracts AD’s hand out with zero accountability, abd even some incentives as well as the major buyout.
The handling of the LSU AD should be the pattern for the way Kentucky deals with Barnie!!!
Larry V, I hope it’s ok to post a link to this article..,
Gov. Jeff Landry critical of AD Scott Woodward amid LSU shake-up – ESPN
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46773515/gov-jeff-landry-critical-ad-scott-woodward-amid-lsu-shakeup
Who’s coughing up the money 🤷♂️ ???