New Florida coach describes juggling two jobs during transition period

Jon Sumrall said he coached Tulane through its conference championship and College Football Playoff while also beginning duties at Florida. The coach described the three-week overlap as a mess that left him without sleep. He said he told potential employers he would only accept a new job if allowed to finish the season with his previous team.

Transition period Sumrall said the phone would ring and he would wonder whether the call concerned Florida or Tulane. He added that he did not regret the decision despite calling the schedule the dumbest thing he had ever done. Tulane lost its College Football Playoff game 41-10 to Mississippi after Sumrall had already accepted the Florida position.

Donor outreach Sumrall said he has spent two days a week meeting private donors and influential people connected to the University of Florida. He stated the school does not rank last among Southeastern Conference programs in donor support but is not among the top four either. He said new energy in the coach's chair can help increase contributions from supporters.