The College Football Playoff is set to kick off on Friday night when the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide take on the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners, with the first-round games taking place on Saturday.
One of the biggest storylines will come out of Oxford, Mississippi, where the No. 11 Tulane Green Wave, led by head coach Jon Sumrall — who recently accepted the head coaching job at Florida — will face the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels. This will be Ole Miss’ first game since head coach Lane Kiffin departed early for LSU.
While Sumrall chose to remain with Tulane and was granted permission to do so, he will be coaching with a heavy heart, having revealed on Friday that his father passed away on Thursday night.
“God gave us more time with my Dad than we thought we would get. He left this Earth last night with Mom by his side in the house my brother Joe and I grew up in. Dad was a fighter,” Sumrall wrote. “I learned so much from him…being a man of faith, grit, hard work, attitude, service and more.
“Dad being there for our conference championship game two weeks ago and then the press conference in Gainesville a couple days later are memories I will never forget. He was always there for me and I know he will still be watching! It doesn’t get sweeter or tougher than my Mom! Mom and Dad have set a great example for Ginny and I on marriage, parenting and commitment. Love you always Dad!”
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Kiffin took the time to respond on social media, offering his condolences to the entire Sumrall family as they navigate an incredibly difficult time ahead of one of Jon’s biggest moments in his college career.
“Prayers to the Sumrall family,” Kiffin posted.
Kiffin has made it clear over the past several weeks since leaving Ole Miss that he would continue rooting for his former coaches and players throughout the playoffs.
However, he won’t be able to fully show his support for Sumrall as Jon tries to lead Tulane to what would be a massive upset over an SEC opponent on college football’s biggest stage.
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