Troy Football: Jon Sumrall's Refreshing Take On The Coaching Carousel

Fans of programs transitioning away from their 2023 head coaches will likely hear the name of Troy University head coach Jon Sumrall as a desirable candidate.

© Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Fans of programs transitioning away from their 2023 head coaches will likely hear the name of Troy University head coach Jon Sumrall as a desirable candidate. It makes sense why: Sumrall has the Trojans back in the Sun Belt title game in year two after winning the league in year one, along with a bowl win and spot in the year-end CFP Top 25.  

Something coaches get asked frequently in this position is how they plan to keep their team's attention away from their leader's professional future. Sumrall got one of these questions during this week's Sun Belt media availability. Sumrall was quick to note he has already addressed the situation with his team and restated his group's focus on their remaining goals for the year. In doing so, he also restated his own commitment to the Trojans.

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"I told our team last week that I'm right where my feet are," Sumrall said Monday. "Any time you have success as a program, they're going to talk about 'where's the head coach going to go next?' Any time you don't do well as a program, they're talking about how they can get rid of you. So they want you to leave one way or the other. They don't want you to be happy where you are. I'm really happy right where I'm at in Troy, Alabama, coaching where I'm coaching. Am I going to die here? I don't know that. But I'm really happy doing what I'm doing."

Sumrall also noted that while he takes his job seriously, he believes his and the Trojans' ascent has been a team effort.

"The attention that may come my way has very little to do with me and a lot to do with the people around me and the players on our team," Sumrall remarked.

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Troy face Southern Miss in their regular season finale this Saturday. Having clinched the Sun Belt West Division, the Trojans will face the winners of the Sun Belt East Division in the league title game on December 2.