Jon Sumrall draws a line between family ties and Florida loyalty
Florida’s coach acknowledged his Alabama and Auburn connections while insisting those supporting the Tigers are not closely affiliated with him.
Florida coach Jon Sumrall has dismissed the idea that relatives supporting Auburn can also be considered part of his close family ahead of the teams’ Week 3 SEC matchup.
As reported by Fox Sports, Sumrall acknowledged that he was born in Huntsville, that relatives remain in Alabama and that his wife attended Auburn. He nevertheless said his immediate professional allegiance was to Florida.
“If I do, they’re not family to me,” Sumrall said when asked whether relatives would support Auburn. “Florida pays my mortgage. So, any family that’s pulling against us, they ain’t my family.”
Sumrall also said he respected Auburn and its supporters, while declaring that everyone closely affiliated with him was a Florida supporter. His comments used “family” as a rhetorical marker of loyalty rather than signalling any literal change in family relationships.
Florida is scheduled to travel to Auburn in Week 3. The game will be the first SEC contest for both Sumrall and Auburn coach Alex Golesh, as well as Florida’s first road game under Sumrall.
Sumrall took over at Florida after coaching Tulane, which the source says he led to a College Football Playoff appearance. The Gators have since rebuilt their roster following the departures of quarterback DJ Lagway and receiver Eugene Wilson III.
