The coaching search and the circus that surrounded it are officially over for the University of Florida football program.

On Sunday, the Gators hired Tulane’s Jon Sumrall as the 31st head football coach in program history.

“Jon Sumrall is a proven winner and an exceptional leader who has built successful programs at every stop,” said University of Florida Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. “He brings tremendous energy, strong recruiting relationships across our footprint, and a philosophy rooted in toughness, discipline and player development. He will cultivate a daily culture of competitiveness, accountability and winning that drives success on the field and throughout our program. Jon fully understands the expectations at the University of Florida, including our expectations to produce championship teams that feature a dynamic offense, and we’re excited to welcome him and his family to Gator Nation.”

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Sumrall received a six-year deal for an average of nearly $7.5 million per year, with significant incentives tied to the College Football Playoff (CFP).

Sumrall, 43, has developed a reputation as one of college football’s top young coaches during his tenures at Troy and Tulane and currently owns the fifth-highest winning percentage among active FBS coaches (42-11, .792), trailing only Ryan Day, Dan Lanning, Kirby Smart and Curt Cignetti.

“Not many coaches win big at two different non-Power programs, and even fewer do it as quickly as Jon has done it,” Stricklin said. “He joins rare company-coaches like Urban Meyer, Brian Kelly and Willie Fritz who’ve delivered immediate success at multiple stops. Jon’s track record of rapid turnarounds speaks directly to his leadership and the culture he establishes.”

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin decided to sign with LSU, so UF moved quickly to secure Sumrall, whose team will face North Texas in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship Game this Friday, Dec. 5.

Unlike Kiffin, who was not allowed to coach the Rebels in the CFP, Tulane’s AD David Harris said “trust” and “transparency” convinced him to let Sumrall finish the season.

“It’s been great for me because you don’t have to wonder and worry what’s going on,” Harris said on Sunday.

A win could propel the Green Wave (10-2, 7-1 AAC) into the 12-team CFP. Sumrall will join the Gators once the season is over.

“The University of Florida is one of the premier programs in college football, and it’s an incredible honor to serve as the head football coach,” Sumrall said. “I believe in building a team rooted in toughness, accountability and a relentless competitive spirit. Florida has everything necessary to compete at the highest level-the resources, the support, the tradition and the passion of Gator Nation. My family and I are excited to get to work.”

Despite only returning four starters this season, Sumrall has guided No. 22/No. 24 Tulane to a spot in the conference championship game in back-to-back seasons. He has now made four conference championship game appearances in his first four years as a head coach, becoming the only coach in FBS history to do so at two different schools.

Florida also hired former Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell as GM of football operations.

However, there are some Gator fans who are not excited about the hire, labeling him Billy 2.0, which is a reference to former coach Billy Napier.

Others have called it a potential “home run hire.”

The argument is that they said the same thing about Napier. The guy hasn’t even gotten into the batter’s box and he has already struck out.

But remember, if Napier had hired an offensive coordinator, he would likely still be coaching the Gators.

“One of my first priorities will be to assemble an incredible staff, including an offensive coordinator who understands that, at Florida, having an explosive offense isn’t optional – it’s mandatory,” Sumrall said.

Former Florida football coach Steve Spurrier is definitely in his corner.

“I’m 100 percent supportive of the hiring of Coach Sumrall,” he said. “He is an excellent choice and has the track record to prove it. He is a young coach on the way up and certainly has a winning record and produced winning teams. He is coaching in his fourth straight league’s championship game Friday night. He’s a proven winner and he will bring a little more fire and emotion to our team.”

Former Gator quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel concurred.

“I got the chance to talk with Jon Sumrall, and I’m really excited for him to be our new coach,” he said. “He is a winner. His passion is contagious. He is a great leader of men. And for those offensive minded folks-like me-he understands us and is committed to hiring an elite OC. I’m as excited to be a Gator as I’ve been in a long time.”

Two-time National Championship Florida coach Urban Meyer also offered his full endorsement.

“What a special day for Gator Nation,” Meyer said. “Jon is one of the top young coaches in the game. I’ve studied Coach Sumrall and have gotten to spend some time with him. His teams are tough, physical and he creates a competitive environment. I look forward to getting to know him even more and the special things he will do at Florida.”

Time will tell if Stricklin made the right hire, but I do believe that is something all Gators should allow, “time.”

Other credentials for Sumrall include: 18 road victories, which are tied for the most in the FBS since 2022 alongside Ryan Day and Dan Lanning; a 14-2 record in road conference tilts, which is third-best in the FBS since 2022 behind only Ryan Day (15-2) and Dan Lanning (15-2); and a career record of 29-4 in October, November and December for an .879 win percentage.

“He’s an absolute stud,” said Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen. “I’ve got a ton of respect for Jon Sumrall as a man, as a person, as a coach. He can connect with all walks of life. Recruits, there’s not many better recruiters I’ve been around at all positions, not just on defense, but the entirety of it. And I know his teams play their tails off. That’s something that you’ve just continued to see.”