Ole Miss adds Jon Sumrall as linebackers coach
OXFORD, Miss. – On Monday, Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the Rebels’ new assistant coach for linebackers.
Sumrall, a three-year letterman at middle linebacker for Kentucky from 2002-04, has spent the last three seasons at Troy, where he served as assistant head coach working predominantly with linebackers. He was also the Trojans’ special teams coordinator.
“Coach Sumrall became a defensive coordinator at a young age and has led turnarounds on that side of the ball everywhere he has been,” Luke said.
“He is a relentless recruiter and gets the very best out of his players. His passion, energy and toughness make him a great fit for our staff, and we can’t wait to get him on campus.“
Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke on Jon Sumrall
Sumrall at Troy
In 2017, the Troy defense finished first in the Sun Belt and first in the nation in red zone defense (.614). The Trojans, who compiled a school-record 11 wins in 2017, also finished third in the nation in tackles for loss per game (8.6), seventh in rushing defense (105.7), 11th in scoring defense (18.5) and 24th in total defense per game (337).
Sumrall’s special teams at Troy ranked second in the country with 27.71 yards per return.
Sumrall at Tulane
Before becoming a member of the Trojans’ staff, Sumrall spent three years as the co-defensive coordinator at Tulane. In 2012, his first season with the Green Wave, Sumrall’s defensive line notched for 27.5 tackles for loss, including 13.5 sacks, recorded 11 quarterback hurries, forced four fumbles, recovering two.
In 2013, Sumrall’s Tulane defense finished 22nd in the country in total defense (352.1), 13th in sacks per game (2.92) and 11th in red zone defense (73.5 percent).
Sumrall at Tulane
Coach Sumrall was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year in 2013, along with coaches from Michigan State, Stanford and Missouri.
Sumrall’s early years
As a senior at Kentucky, Sumrall started every game and led the Wildcats with 72 tackles. At Grissom High School in Huntstville, Alabama, he was a four-year letterman and two-time all-state performer.
Coach Sumrall completed his bachelor’s degree in Finance in 2005. He has also completed coursework on a master’s degree in sports leadership.
Sumrall’s Coaching Resume
2005-06 – Kentucky – defensive graduate assistant
2007-09 – Univ. of San Diego – defensive line/recruiting coordinator
2010-11 – Univ. of San Diego – defensive coordinator/linebackers
2012-14 – Tulane – co-defensive coordinator
2015-17 – Troy – assistant head coach/linebackers/special teams coordinator
2018-present – Ole Miss – linebackers
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
