Dear Tulane Community:

We have some great news for Tulanians and Green Wave fans everywhere. Following a national search, we have named Jon Sumrall as Tulane’s new head football coach.

Coach Sumrall, who is currently the head coach at Troy University, will take over a nationally ranked football program that – thanks to an incredibly talented and dedicated group of student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff – is at a high point in its long and rich history. With the Dec. 27 Military Bowl matchup against Virginia Tech, the Green Wave will play in its fifth bowl in the last six years!

A Huntsville, Alabama native, Coach Sumrall was one of the most successful head coaches in the country the last two seasons. He guided Troy University to a 23-4 record, two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of double-digit winning streaks. He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year and was twice named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year honor.

Coach Sumrall is returning to New Orleans after serving as the Green Wave’s Co-Defensive Coordinator for three years (2012-14). In 2013, he was a crucial part of Tulane’s run to the New Orleans Bowl, the program’s first postseason appearance since 2002 and third since 1988. Sumrall also was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year.

As Tulane football’s new leader, Coach Sumrall will play a critical role in an Athletic Department that is on an unprecedented upward trajectory and under new leadership. Tulane’s student-athletes are enjoying remarkable success both academically and across the 17 sports in which they compete. Over the past two years, Green Wave programs have posted remarkable results and combined for four American Athletic Conference titles and two national championships! Through the "Investing in Excellence" campaign our athletic facilities are also undergoing major expansion and improvement while the Green Wave fan base is growing exponentially. The fact that we were able to attract a coach of Jon’s caliber is evidence of the rising stature of our football program throughout the country.

Under Jon’s direction we expect that our football team will continue on its current path and reach even greater heights. Our success in athletics reflects the momentum of the university as a whole in research, academics and service to our city and world. The future for Tulane is very bright indeed and the Wave is definitely on a roll!

Michael A. Fitts, President

Patrick Norton, Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer

David Harris, Director of Athletics and the Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair