Jon Sumrall is making it very clear that family ties will not matter when Florida walks into Jordan-Hare Stadium to face Auburn.
The first-year Florida head coach has Alabama roots and an obvious connection to Auburn through his family. Sumrall grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, while his wife attended Auburn, creating a natural connection to the Tigers. But with Florida preparing for its first SEC game of the 2026 season, Sumrall dismissed the idea that any relatives would be openly supporting Auburn against his Gators.
Asked whether he expected members of his extended family to be rooting for Auburn, Sumrall delivered one of the more memorable answers of the early SEC season. He essentially joked that anyone cheering against Florida would be disowned from his definition of family. His reasoning was simple: Florida is now his program, his responsibility and, as he put it, the school that pays his mortgage.
The comment reflected the competitive mindset Sumrall has brought to Gainesville. Rather than allowing personal connections to Auburn or Alabama to become a storyline, he made it clear that his attention is completely on Florida’s attempt to open SEC play with a victory. He also acknowledged that he has plenty of respect for Auburn and the people connected to the school, but that respect will not change his allegiance when the teams meet.
The timing makes the comment even more entertaining. Florida and Auburn are both 2-0, and Saturday’s meeting represents the first SEC conference game for both Sumrall and Auburn head coach Alex Golesh. Florida has opened the season with dominant victories over Florida Atlantic and Campbell, winning those two games by a combined 118-24. Auburn, meanwhile, survived Baylor 17-16 in its opener before overwhelming Southern Miss 43-8.
For Sumrall, however, the Auburn game is far more than a humorous family storyline. It is the first genuine measuring stick for his new Florida program. The Gators have looked impressive through two games, but neither opponent provided the same level of challenge expected from an Auburn team playing its first SEC game under Golesh. The trip to Jordan-Hare will therefore test Florida’s ability to handle a hostile environment, communicate under pressure and execute against a significantly more physical opponent.
Sumrall has already identified Auburn’s rushing attack as one of the biggest areas Florida must control. He believes the Tigers’ offensive spacing and ability to create explosive plays can attract attention, but he warned that the running game is what can ultimately determine whether Auburn’s offense succeeds. Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown adds another dimension because of his ability to hurt defenses with his legs, while running backs Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson II have also provided early production.
The Florida coach also has plenty of respect for Auburn’s defense. He specifically praised defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and highlighted linebacker Xavier Atkins as a player who can cause problems. Sumrall’s assessment suggests Florida is not preparing simply for an offensive shootout; the Gators understand that Auburn can create problems on both sides of the football.
There is also some recent history between the coaching staffs. Sumrall and Golesh are familiar with one another from their time coaching in the American Athletic Conference. In 2024, Sumrall’s Tulane team defeated Golesh’s South Florida squad 45-10, with Byrum Brown serving as USF’s quarterback. That previous meeting adds another layer to Saturday’s contest, although Sumrall has insisted this should not be treated as a revenge game.
Golesh, for his part, has also temporarily put the friendship aside. When asked Monday about his relationship with Sumrall, the Auburn coach jokingly responded that the two were not friends this week, while still making clear that he has tremendous respect for Sumrall’s coaching ability and career.
That competitive edge could make Saturday’s matchup one of the most intriguing early SEC games. Both coaches are attempting to establish new identities, both teams are unbeaten, and both programs see the contest as an opportunity to make an immediate statement in conference play.
For Florida, the challenge will be particularly significant because the Gators are leaving Gainesville for the first time this season. Jordan-Hare Stadium is expected to provide an entirely different atmosphere from the comfortable home environment Florida has experienced through its opening two games. Sumrall has acknowledged the importance of preparing his players for crowd noise and maintaining composure when the game becomes emotionally charged.
The stakes are also greater because this is the SEC opener. Sumrall described conference games as effectively counting twice because they affect both the overall record and the conference standings. Florida’s early-season success has generated optimism, but a victory over Auburn would provide significantly more evidence that Sumrall’s transition from Tulane to the SEC is moving in the right direction.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, at 7 p.m. ET at Jordan-Hare Stadium, with ESPN carrying the matchup.
So while Sumrall may have Alabama roots, an Auburn-connected wife and extended family members with obvious ties to the Tigers, none of that appears likely to soften his approach. Once the opening kickoff arrives, Sumrall’s message is straightforward: Florida comes first.
And if anyone in his family decides otherwise, the Gators’ new head coach has already made his position perfectly clear.
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