The Florida Gators brought out their last championship-winning head coach, Urban Meyer, for their pitch to Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall to leave New Orleans for Gainesville instead of the Plains.
Though it appeared the Auburn Tigers had Sumrall locked up, UF is now putting on a full-court press. Footballscoop's John Brice revealed that Florida was "furthest down the road with Sumrall." Brice described a very strong offer for Sumrall that may not be available in Auburn.
"Florida's so dialed in on Sumrall that sources told FootballScoop this week that the Gators had tabbed former two-time Florida national championship-winning coach Urban Meyer to speak with Sumrall about the opening, among other Florida dignitaries," Brice wrote.
"The Florida contingent speaking with Sumrall, sources shared, also have made clear that Sumrall would have full control of the Gators' program and autonomy on staffing decisions.
"That's in contrast with what multiple sources have shared with FootballScoop across the past two weeks in regards to the Auburn Tigers's quest to replace Freeze.
"Those sources, including multiple people with direct connections to candidates who have spoken with the Auburn group, have shared that Auburn leadership has discussed at length the possibility of retaining some of Freeze's final staff members, from defensive coordinator and interim head coach DJ Durkin to off-the-field staff."
If the deal at AU is to keep the same staff, then they might as well explore making promotions all over the current staff and hope the players stick with them. Certainly, nothing about the defense should change, whether or not DJ Durkin is named the full-time head coach. Derrick Nix's play-calling looks better, too, but the Iron Bowl will be a true litmus test for Hugh Freeze's longtime assistant.
Losing out on Sumrall after not even being considered for Lane Kiffin after almost hiring the latter three years ago is not a good look. But John Cohen could do some effective budgeting by not spending money on someone who wouldn't drastically change the way business is done. The current coaching staff maintaining their jobs is a major wrinkle in this coaching staff. It certainly softens the blow of Sumrall potentially choosing the Gators.