Rising College Football Coach Emerges as Favorite to Replace Hugh Freeze at Auburn
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The next man roaming the sidelines at Jordan-Hare Stadium could be one of the best coaches in the Group of Five ranks. Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall has become a hot commodity for the role of Auburn Tigers head coach.
Athlon Sports’ Steve Lassan made his predictions for every team with job openings right now. He has Sumrall as the replacement for Hugh Freeze, who was fired earlier this season.
“As an Alabama native, along with experience as a player and coach in the SEC footprint, Sumrall is a perfect fit at Auburn,” Lassan wrote. “But if Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss, expect Sumrall to be candidate No. 1 in Oxford. If Sumrall isn’t the pick to replace Hugh Freeze, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz is a name to watch.
Sumrall has recently been a favorite candidate for the Auburn job among betting sites and college football analysts. He has an impressive coaching record: he is 17-7 during his two seasons at Tulane and achieved a 23-4 record in his two years with the Troy Trojans.
This year, Sumrall has led Tulane to an 8-2 record, putting the Green Wave in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff. It is important to note that details about Sumrall’s buyout and contract remain unclear, as Tulane, being a private institution, is not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.
As Auburn accelerates its search and the carousel begins to spin, Sumrall’s name isn’t fading; it’s rising. If the Tigers move quickly, they could land one of the sport’s most sought-after coaches before other suitors enter the chase.
In the meantime, Sumrall’s No. 24-ranked Tulane takes on the Temple Owls at 3:45 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPNU.
Related: Matt Barrie Names ‘Home Run’ College Football Head Coach Hire for Auburn
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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