TAMPA — Before Sumrall had even finished his first SEC Media Days appearance as the new Florida football coach, everyone had learned one thing – he doesn’t sugarcoat much.
As he stood at the podium, an abrupt ringing began to echo as Sumrall was trying to answer a question.
The Gators’ head man attempted to power through and give an in-depth answer as he tried to power through the annoying cellphone nuisance.
Finally, he had enough.
“You would be kicked out of our team meeting,” Sumrall abruptly and jokingly said. “You’re lucky I’m not going to throw this freaking podium right now. It drives me crazy.”
The blunt reaction wasn’t a surprise for linebacker Myles Graham, who was later asked what the consequence is if a phone goes off during a team meeting.
“I don’t want to know,” Graham said. “It ain’t happened yet, but I don’t want to see what would happen. I’d feel bad for that guy.”
However, Sumrall’s straightforward reaction is why Graham has learned to appreciate his new head coach
“I love it,” Graham said. “He’s very blunt and to the point. He doesn’t beat around the bush at all. He’s very direct and straightforward. He’s just a real dude.”
Instead of quarterback battles, questions about the defense, NIL or potential legislation impacting college sports – it was Sumrall’s authenticity that stole the show.
Later in the day, during his interview with the SEC Network, former Alabama coach Nick Saban mentioned how Sumrall has turned him into a “semi-Gator” fan.
“I’m a Florida resident now, and down there amongst the Gators,” Saban said. “Governor DeSantis is a good friend, and you took former President Stuart Bell, who is now a Gator. I want you to know I’m kind of a semi-Gator. If you don’t get your sh—together. I’m going to be in the middle of it.”
The expletives flew earlier in the day as the coach’s beloved bluntness delivered several other notable memorable lines.
When asked about first-year Ole Miss coach Pete Golding and the difference in facing him as a defensive coordinator compared to as a head coach. His response was direct since he lost to Golding twice last season at Tulane.
“Pete is going to be himself,” Sumrall said. “He’s not going to change. I have an appreciation for that. You have to be authentic.
“We played them the first time at Tulane, and they beat the sh—out of us. We play them the second time, different ‘head coach,’ still beat the sh—out of us.”
Even with the local media, the quips didn’t let up. When a question was asked towards the SEC’s new 9-game schedule he brushed aside any type of debate. Rather his answer perhaps reflected his entire personality and his approach to handling the job as the Gators head coach.
“We’re going to play anybody, anywhere, anytime. Whoever they put on our schedule, we’re going to play,” Sumrall said. “I’m not going to whine and complain about being an SEC head football coach.”
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: How Florida football coach Jon Sumrall’s personality stole the show at SEC Media Day
Reporting by Andrew Abadie, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andrew Abadie, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
