NEW ORLEANS — Tulane University coach Jon Sumrall shared a message of mourning and tribute to his late father Friday, a day before the 17th-ranked, 11th-seeded Green Wave were set to make their College Football Playoff debut against No. 6 Ole Miss.
Sumrall said his father died in his sleep Thursday night, having long dealt with ongoing health problems. George Sumrall was 77.
“God gave us more time with my dad than we thought we would get,” Sumrall wrote in a message posted on social media. “Dad was a fighter. I learned so much from him … being a man of faith, grit, hard work, attitude, service and more.”
Sumrall said he will always remember how his father was well enough to attend Tulane’s 34-21 win over North Texas in the American Athletic Conference championship two weeks ago, as well as the news conference introducing Sumrall as the next head coach for Florida in Gainesville.
“He was always there for me and I know he will be watching,” wrote Sumrall, who is staying on as Tulane’s coach through the College Football Playoff before taking charge of the Gators, who compete in the Southeastern Conference.