Troy Football Names Jon Sumrall Assistant Head Coach

TROY, Alabama – Troy football head coach Neal Brown announced Wednesday the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the program's assistant head coach. Sumrall, who will also serve as a defensive assistant coach, joins the Troy staff after spending the last three seasons as the co-defensive coordinator at Tulane.

"Jon is an up-and-comer in the profession and I have followed his career closely," Brown said. "I've known him since 2000 when he was recruited at Kentucky and then he was a graduate assistant at UK for my high school coach, Chuck Smith, who I have the highest respect for. Jon has been a coordinator at the FBS level and led a huge turnaround at Tulane. He is a perfect fit for our staff being an Alabama (Huntsville) native and is a relentless recruiter. I am excited that Jon is going to be part of what we are building at Troy."

Sumrall's defense was a crucial part of Tulane's run to the New Orleans Bowl in 2013 as the Green Wave finished second in the nation with 35 forced turnovers. It was Tulane's first bowl game since 2002 and just its third since 1988. Tulane finished fourth nationally with 16 fumble recoveries and sixth with 19 interceptions that year.

"This is an outstanding opportunity, and I am extremely excited to join Neal Brown's staff at Troy University," Sumrall said. "Troy has an rich football history, and I'm ready to get to work to bring championships back to Troy."

In addition to ranking among the nation's best in forcing turnovers, Sumrall's 2013 defense finished 22^nd nationally in total defense (352.1), 13^th in sacks per game (2.92) and 11^th in red zone defense (73.5 percent). That season he was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year along with coaches from Michigan State, Stanford and Missouri.

Sumrall, 32, coached the defensive line during his first two seasons at Tulane before coaching the linebackers in 2014.

Sumrall's defensive line had a fantastic year in 2013, as Julius Warmsley earned first team All C-USA honors after leading the team with 18.5 tackles for loss. In his first season at Tulane, Sumrall's defensive line accounted for 27.5 tackles for loss, including 13.5 sacks, recorded 11 quarterback hurries and forced four fumbles and recovered two.

Prior to his arrival at Tulane, Sumrall spent five seasons in various positions at the University of San Diego, including as the defensive coordinator during his final two seasons. He spent his first three seasons as the defensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and camp coordinator before assuming the defensive coordinator and linebackers coaching role in 2010. During his final season with the Toreros, Sumrall was promoted to assistant head coach.

In 2011, the Toreros chalked up a 9-2 campaign including a 7-1 conference mark. The squad ranked 15th nationally in run defense (113 ypg), 13th in pass efficiency defense, fourth in sacks (3.64 spg), and 16th in third-down defense (32.2 percent).

The San Diego defense had numerous players receive accolades. Defensive end Blake Oliaro was named Pioneer Football League (PFL) Defensive Player of the Year, Associated Press Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) second team All-American and first team all-conference.

In Sumrall's first season as defensive coordinator in 2010, the defense ranked first in scoring defense (16.1 ppg), total defense (265 ypg), run defense (67.1 ypg), and third-down defense (31.7 percent) in league play, and was also ranked second in pass defense (197.9 ypg).

Following the 2010 season, defensive end Mario Kurn was named a Ted Hendricks Award finalist, Buck Buchanan Award Finalist, first team All-American by Phil Steele and The Sports Network, second team All-American by the Associated Press and first team all-conference.

In 2007 Sumrall coached defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, who was a 2007 Walter Camp first team All-American and an Associated Press first team All-American. Bakhtiari also earned honors as a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award and as the PFL Defensive Player of the Year. Bakthiari finished the season with 76 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and an FCS-best 20 sacks.

Sumrall spent two seasons (2005-06) serving as the defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Kentucky. In 2006, Kentucky recorded an 8-5 record and finished the season with a victory over Clemson in the Music City Bowl. While at Kentucky, he worked with the linebackers and the secondary.

As a collegiate player, Sumrall was a three-year letterman at middle linebacker for Kentucky from 2002-04. He started every game as a senior and led the Wildcats with 72 tackles. Sumrall was a two time all-state performer and a four-year letterman at Grissom (Ala.) High School.

A native of Huntsville, Ala., Sumrall completed his bachelor's degree in finance in 2004 and has completed coursework on a master's degree in sports leadership. While in college he was a member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was selected for the Frank G. Ham Society of Character by Kentucky Athletics.

Sumrall is married to the former Ginny Nixon of Huntsville, and the couple has one-year-old twins, Samuel George and Sadie Gayle, born June 25, 2013.

Troy University Athletics

Troy Football Names Jon Sumrall Assistant Head Coach

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