Kentucky's first coaching search in 13 years commences, with Jon Sumrall ruled out

Kentucky football is stepping into a new chapter. Following a mutual decision to part ways with Mark Stoops after a challenging season, the Wildcats are beginning their first search for a head coach in 13 years.

One prominent candidate who will not return to Lexington is Jon Sumrall. The former Kentucky linebacker and rising coaching star is set to take over as the head coach at Florida. Sumrall, who played at Kentucky from 2002 to 2004 and began his coaching journey in Lexington as a graduate assistant, had been a leading figure on the coaching market.

Returning to Kentucky in 2019, Sumrall helped strengthen the teams defensive reputation. By 2021, he had advanced to co-defensive coordinator before moving on to become head coach at Troy. His impressive tenure there led to his hiring at Tulane, where he maintained his strong record over two seasons.

Throughout this coaching cycle, Sumrall was heavily linked to several major SEC openings, including at Auburn and Florida. Ultimately, Florida acted quickly, securing Sumrall as their next head coach.

For Kentucky, this development is a significant setback. Fans hoping for a potential Sumrall return now face the reality that the program must explore other options. The Wildcats are now reportedly considering candidates such as Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as they embark on one of the most critical coaching searches in school history.

Author: Sophia Brooks