Kentucky begins first coaching search in 13 years, but Jon Sumrall is no longer an option

Kentucky football is officially entering a new era.

After Mark Stoops and the university mutually agreed to part ways following a disappointing season, the Wildcats will now conduct their first head-coaching search in 13 years.

A name that won’t be returning to Lexington is Jon Sumrall, the former Kentucky linebacker and fast-rising head coach who is set to become the next head coach at Florida.

Sumrall, who played at Kentucky from 2002-04 and later launched his coaching career in Lexington as a graduate assistant, has been one of the hottest names on the coaching carousel. His return to Kentucky in 2019 helped bolster the Wildcats’ defensive identity, and by 2021, he had been elevated to co-defensive coordinator before leaving to become the head coach at Troy.

Two standout seasons there propelled him to Tulane, where he quickly proved himself again in his two seasons with the Green Wave.

During this coaching cycle, Sumrall became a central figure in multiple major SEC searches, including at Auburn and Florida. But ultimately, the Gators moved decisively, making Sumrall the next head coach.

For Kentucky, the timing couldn’t be tougher. A fan base eager for a fresh start no longer has Sumrall available as a potential homecoming hire. Now, the Wildcats must look elsewhere as they begin one of the most important coaching searches in program history.

Now, Kentucky is reportedly looking at names like Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein.