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Jon Sumrall Debuts as Florida Coach; Jadan Baugh Confirms Return for 2026

Media Days crystallized Sumrall’s staff and roster plan while flagging urgent needs on the offensive line and in the secondary.

Overview

  • Sumrall, who took the Florida job after successful runs at Troy and Tulane, used SEC Media Days this week to outline a culture reset and say about 60 players have returned to the program.
  • He has begun rebuilding the staff by hiring Buster Faulkner as offensive coordinator and has centered the offense on returning star running back Jadan Baugh.
  • Baugh said Sumrall’s intensity and personal recruiting — including a Christmas visit to Baugh’s family — convinced him to stay and to be a focal point in 2026.
  • A quarterback competition between Tramell Jones Jr. and transfer Aaron Philo remains unresolved as Sumrall says he needs a steady game manager rather than a superstar signal-caller.
  • Sumrall’s viral podium outburst at Media Days drew scrutiny but he later called it a joke, and peers such as Nick Saban publicly praised some hires while warning that Florida must improve its offensive line and secondary to be competitive.