This former Florida Gators star certainly had a lot to say about head coach Jon Sumrall.
Ever since Jon Sumrall took over as Florida Gators head coach back in late November, the atmosphere in Gainesville has felt different.
Current players, former players and recruits have all said it, and it is certainly a positive sign for Florida moving forward.
Ex-Gators cornerback Devin Moore recently attended a spring practice, for example, and he came away very impressed with what he saw from Sumrall.
"I love the energy Coach Sumrall is bringing," Moore said, via Kevin Brockway of The Gainesville Sun. "He's not scared to tell you how it is. You need a guy like that, that's gonna, 'This is how it is. It wasn't good enough. Do it again. And I don't care what you think.' I love that type of energy. I love how the guys out there were competing. I thought it was a great practice."
Sumrall is a former linebacker, and it definitely seems like he is bringing that personality to The Swamp.
His no-nonsense approach worked wonders at Troy and Tulane, where he split four seasons as a head coach and went 43-12. Most recently, he led Tulane to an 11-3 record and a College Football Playoff appearance.
Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall. Credit: Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Obviously, coaching in the SEC is an entirely different ballgame, but it already seems like Sumrall has what it takes to help Florida return to prominence.
"They just were playing like their hair was on fire," former Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks said. "They’ve got a lot of energy. Offense is doing well, defense is doing well. Coach (Sumrall) just doing what you need to do to make sure the boys are getting after it. And I'm happy for them. I know they will have a successful year this year. I can't wait to see it.”
The Gators went just 4-8 last season and have posted four losing campaigns over the last five years, marking one of the worst stretches in school history.
Florida was once one of the top football programs in the country, but things have certainly changed over the last decade or so. Now, it's up to Sumrall to help the Gators relive their glory days. Or at least get back to respectability.
Clearly, Sumrall is making a significant impact early on, but we will have to see if he maintains that heading into 2026.
Florida will open up its regular season against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 5.
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