Jon Sumrall hired as new Troy football coach

It didn’t take long for Troy University to make its selection for the next Trojan head football coach as the school announced Kentucky defensive coordinator Jon Sumrall had been hired to fill the position on Dec. 2.

Sumrall is returning to Troy after having spent the 2015-2017 seasons as a linebackers coach and assistant head coach at Troy under Neal Brown. Since 2019, Sumrall has been linebackers coach at Kentucky and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator this season. He’s widely known as one of the top recruiters in the SEC, as well.

“We are excited to appoint Jon Sumrall to lead our Trojan football program,” Dr. Hawkins said. “Jon is a proven winner. He possesses the values, love of Troy and experience to lead our university to championship status.”

Sumrall was previously a finalist for the Troy job, after Neal Brown departed for West Virginia, which ultimately went to Chip Lindsey. Sumrall is a Huntsville native and was a two-time all-state football player at Grissom High School. He went on to become a starting middle linebacker at Kentucky from 2002 until 2004. After graduating, he served as a graduate assistant at Kentucky from 2005-2006.

In 2007, Sumrall took over as recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach at FCS school San Diego. He remained at San Diego through the 2011 season serving as defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and assistant head coach in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

In 2012, Sumrall was hired as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Tulane. He also coached linebackers in 2014 before heading to Troy in 2015.

After helping the Troy defense become one of the top defenses in the Sun Belt, Sumrall was hired by Ole Miss to serve as linebackers coach in 2018 before returning to his alma-mater at Kentucky in 2019.

“Troy University and the Troy community left an indelible mark on our family,” Sumrall said. “I am humbled and extremely grateful for Dr. Hawkins, Brent Jones and the entire selection committee for their trust in me to lead this storied football program.

“Ginny and I fell in love with Troy and can’t wait to return home and reconnect with the tremendous fan base. Troy Football has a proud tradition of success, and I look forward to leading this program back to a championship level.”

Sumrall will formally be introduced as the new Troy head coach at a press conference on Monday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m.