Troy’s head coach endorses Auburn football spring game matchup

Troy’s head coach, Jon Sumrall, liked Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze’s idea to change the A-Day spring game from an intrasquad scrimmage to an exhibition against a smaller program within the state of Alabama — specifically mentioning UAB and Troy by name. “I wouldn’t have a problem with it,” Sumrall said. “I’d go play.”

Sumrall then dove deeper into the issue, providing the exact setup he desires in Freeze’s hypothetical. “Do you get caught up in preparing for the game more than just using spring as a developmental time for individuals — and for experimenting, adapting and growing within your systems on offense, defense and in the kicking game?” Sumrall asked before saying, “Those are the only drawbacks I see.”

247Sports’ Brandon Marcello provided more context to the quote Sumrall gave the publication. “Troy head coach Jon Sumrall doesn’t just like the idea, he’s ready,” Marcello said. “Heck, if asked, he’d pack up his team on a bus, travel an hour north on Highway 231 and suit up his Trojans one week from today to play the Tigers inside Jordan-Hare Stadium in a spring exhibition.”

Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze believes his idea could ‘make an impact on some people that need it’

Freeze spoke passionately to reporters about his updated spring game idea that’d have an effect on not just the Auburn football program, but for every single Division I college across the country.

“I just think it would be great for the sport,” Freeze said. “I think it’d be awesome. For the life of me, I just don’t understand why we haven’t got to the point where we can pull that off and do something that’ll be helpful to some organization in each state. If every state did this, man, we could make an impact on some people that need it.”

Until that happens, the Tigers coach and many within college football circles will be “guarded.”

“That would be my idea,” Freeze said. “Until that happens, I think all of us are going to be very guarded.”