Jon Sumrall named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year

Former Kentucky linebacker (2002-04) and linebackers coach (2019-21) Jon Sumrall has had an outstanding first season as the head coach at Troy. The Trojans are set to host Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Championship on Saturday. On Thursday, the 40-year-old was presented with a special award.

Jon Sumrall has been named the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year in his first season as the leader of the Trojans.

That's OUR COACH!!!@CoachJonSumrall @SunBelt Coach of the Year#RiseToBuild | #OneTROY ⚔️🏈 pic.twitter.com/ZeC79AZM1V

— Troy Trojans Football 7x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) December 1, 2022

Nothing like having your staff meeting crashed to find out you won @SunBelt Coach of the Year! pic.twitter.com/WebR5fPjDy

— Troy Trojans Football 7x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) December 1, 2022

Behind a defense that ranks No. 11 in points per drive, Troy enters Saturday with a 10-2 (7-1) mark in a solid Group of Five league. The Trojans own an outstanding 5-1 record in one-score games and were a hail mary pass away by Appalachian State away from an undefeated conference record in year one.

Now Troy will host Coastal Carolina on Saturday for a championship game. Jamey Chadwell’s program is 31-5 over the last three seasons with a Sun Belt title in 2020. However, star quarterback Grayson McCall is extremely questionable. Troy has a great shot at winning its first outright Sun Belt title since 2009 on Saturday.

Sumrall has been one of the most successful first-year coaches in college football this season as the Mark Stoops coaching tree is growing. The former Wildcat is making a quick splash in the Sun Belt.