Former Kentucky football linebacker Jon Sumrall is once again at the center of major coaching conversations, as several SEC programs evaluate their futures heading into the offseason.

Sumrall, who played for Kentucky from 2002-04 and later returned as a graduate assistant in 2005–2006, has built one of the fastest-rising coaching resumes in college football.

After coming back to Lexington in 2019 as linebackers coach, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2021 before earning his first head-coaching opportunity at Troy in 2022. Two strong seasons there vaulted him to Tulane, where he is currently in his second season leading the Green Wave.

But now, the coaching carousel is lining up directly in front of him.

According to On3’s Chris Low, Lane Kiffin will decide between staying at Ole Miss or leaving for LSU, which is a domino that will dictate the next wave of hires.

With Florida reportedly out on Kiffin, the Gators have now shifted their attention toward Sumrall, per Pete Nakos, Low, and Brett McMurphy. If Kiffin does bolt for Baton Rouge, Sumrall could quickly become a top candidate at Ole Miss, while LSU will be a suitor if the Tigers miss on Kiffin, giving him multiple potential SEC landing spots.

Sumrall had been heavily linked to Auburn earlier this month, but On3 reports that conversations have “cooled off” in recent days, though the Tigers have not fully closed the door.

Meanwhile, at Kentucky, Mark Stoops is expected to remain as head coach despite fan frustration, even with a potential sixth win on the line, which would reduce the likelihood of any Lexington return for Sumrall.

Fans hoping for a change now shift their attention to whether Kentucky will soon be competing against Sumrall instead.