Jan 24, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators Football head coach Jon Sumrall addresses the crowd during a timeout against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Sumrall Poised to Lure Georgia Tech Assistant to Florida

Kevyn Bryant II

Florida’s coaching staff makeover could include another addition from Georgia Tech.

ON3’s Pete Nakos reported that the Gators are expected to “steal away another staff member from Georgia Tech” as head coach Jon Sumrall continues to fill key roles around the program. Florida already hired Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, and the continued pipeline from Atlanta signals Sumrall’s preference for familiar evaluators and teachers as he installs his approach in Gainesville.

While the specific target was not fully detailed in the initial report, the direction is clear. Florida is prioritizing staff continuity and proven working relationships early in the offseason. It is a common strategy for a new head coach, particularly in the SEC, where the margins in recruiting, player development, and game-planning are thin.

Faulkner’s arrival set the tone. Pulling an offensive coordinator from an ACC program gives Florida a coordinator with play-calling experience and recent exposure to modern spread concepts. If a second Georgia Tech staffer follows, it would further cement a shared vocabulary on offense and operations, allowing Florida to move faster through spring preparation and into recruiting season.

For Florida, the stakes are immediate. The Gators are trying to stabilize performance, improve weekly consistency, and close the gap with the top of the conference. That requires more than headline hires. It requires depth on the staff, especially in areas such as position coaching, quality control, and off-field recruiting support.

Nakos’ report underscores that Sumrall is not finished.

If the expected hire becomes official, it will mark another deliberate step toward building a staff that fits Florida’s new structure, with Gainesville continuing to look north to Atlanta for personnel that can help accelerate the transition.

Florida has not announced an additional Georgia Tech hire beyond Faulkner as of this report.

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