In a poignant moment of personal and professional crossroads, Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall is preparing for the biggest game in the programme's history while mourning the loss of his father.
A Personal Tragedy Before a Historic Game
Sumrall revealed that his father, George Sumrall, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday night at the age of 77. The elder Sumrall had been battling prolonged health issues. The sad news comes as the coach readies his 11-2 Tulane team for their inaugural College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance, a historic first for the university.
In a heartfelt social media post, the coach reflected on his father's resilience. "God gave us more time with my dad than we thought we would get," Sumrall wrote. He described his father as a fighter and credited him for life lessons in "faith, grit, hard work, attitude, service and more."
Cherished Final Memories and a Unique Coaching Situation
Sumrall shared that he will forever treasure two recent occasions where his father was present. George was healthy enough to attend the American Conference championship game, where he saw Tulane secure a 34-21 victory. He was also able to be at the news conference where Jon was announced as the next head coach of the University of Florida.
Despite this impending move to Florida, a unique agreement has been reached for Sumrall to remain at the helm for Tulane's playoff run. This stands in stark contrast to the recent situation at Ole Miss, where then-coach Lane Kiffin departed for LSU amidst the Rebels' own CFP preparations.
"He was always there for me and I know he will be watching," Sumrall said of his father, closing his note with, "Love you always Dad!"
Playoff Showdown Under Emotional Circumstances
The emotional backdrop sets the stage for a compelling First Round CFP matchup. Tulane will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to face the 11-1 Ole Miss Rebels. The winner of this contest will advance to face No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Sumrall's leadership, under the weight of personal grief, will be a central narrative as his team seeks to continue their remarkable season against a formidable SEC opponent on the road.
