Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall addressed comparisons between his coaching transition and Lane Kiffin's move, asserting they were not similar situations. Speaking at SEC Media Days in Tampa, Sumrall explained that Kiffin was moving between two Southeastern Conference schools, while Sumrall was leaving Tulane.
"Lane and I are friends, and talked several times during the process in October and November about what it was looking like about how things were going to unfold," Sumrall said. "Lane said 'you and I are going through the same thing' and I'm like, 'No Lane, we're not. If you leave, you're leaving an SEC school to go to an SEC school'. I was leaving Tulane."
Sumrall emphasized his desire to depart Tulane appropriately, stating that he likely would not have taken a new job if a university had prohibited him from coaching his current team in a playoff game. Kiffin, on the other hand, faced a decision about leaving Ole Miss before a potential college football playoff.
During his press conference, Sumrall also experienced a humorous moment when a reporter's phone began playing music. He lightheartedly warned that the reporter would have been removed from a team meeting for such an interruption. "You would be kicked out of our team meeting, I swear," Sumrall told the room. "Like you're lucky I'm not going throw this podium right now. That drives me crazy."
Sumrall also spoke about new Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding, expressing appreciation for his authenticity. "Pete is going to be himself. He's not going to change," Sumrall stated. "I have an appreciation for that. You have to be authentic. I think he's going to do a phenomenal job. Really do. Happy for his opportunity there."
He recalled Tulane's two losses to Ole Miss the previous season, noting that both games resulted in significant defeats regardless of the head coach.
Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner, also addressed the conference's exploration of options outside the NCAA during SEC Media Days.