The Florida Gators are coming to the Yellowhammer State this week for an absolutely massive showdown against the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium — potentially the most important game of each young head coach’s career.

Jon Sumrall, a Huntsville native who was once an extremely successful head man at Troy, was nearly the Auburn head coach before winding up at Florida and having the Tigers turn to Alex Golesh instead.

During a press conference leading up to the game, Sumrall — who has close ties to The Plains with his wife being an Auburn alum — was asked about potential extended family rooting for the Tigers.

If they are, they had better keep it a secret from the Gators head coach.

Jon Sumrall (who grew up in Huntsville, Alabama and married an Auburn grad) was asked today if any of his extended family are rooting against him:

“Florida pays my mortgage. Any family that is pulling against us, they ain't my family. I don’t care what their last name is.” pic.twitter.com/tcHQR7Qyq6

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 14, 2026

“If they do they’re not family to me,” Sumrall said looking completely dead serious. “Yeah, there’s ties, but Florida pays my mortgage. Any family that is pulling against us, they ain’t my family. I don’t care what their last name is.”

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Auburn…But I’m a Florida Gator and everybody affiliated with me closely is a Florida Gator or they’re not affiliated with me closely.”

Clearly, Sumrall wants this game badly, and in front of a very rowdy Jordan-Hare crowd on The Plains, it is going to be quite the challenge.