Paul Finebaum: Jon Sumrall being 'privately mentioned' as top candidate for Kentucky job if it opens up

Paul Finebaum is throwing some gas onto the fire in Lexington.

The well-known SEC sportscaster went on The Matt Barrie Show to talk about Billy Napier’s future as the head coach at Florida. In the middle of their discussion, the conversation shifted to Jon Sumrall as a promising up-and-coming head coach.

Sumrall, who played linebacker at Kentucky in the early 2000s and served as an assistant with the Wildcats from 2019-21, is currently in his first season coaching at Tulane. He has the Green Wave sitting on a 7-2 record (5-0 AAC) with the two losses coming against Oklahoma and Kansas State, which were both ranked among the Top 20 at the time. Prior to Tulane, he accumulated a 23-4 record in two seasons at Troy. The 42-year-old is widely considered to be one the country’s best young head coaches.

“I think Sumrall is going to be an SEC coach and a damn good one at some point, because he’s got that next step,” Barrie said.

But it was what Finebaum said after Barrie’s above quote that will certainly raise some eyebrows within the Big Blue Nation.

“I’ve heard Sumrall’s name privately mentioned for two different SEC jobs, who are not open at the moment,” Finebaum said. “That’s how hot he is about to become. I’m really glad you brought him up. There are literally two schools right now, if they made a change, he would be first on their list. That’s how well-received and highly respected he is.”

Finebaum didn’t waste much time revealing the two teams interested in Sumrall, listing both Kentucky and Auburn by name.

“And for those who don’t know Sumrall’s history, he played at Kentucky, if that kinda gives away one of my answers,” he continued. “He’s worked in the state of Alabama not that far from a school in Lee County, Alabama. I’ll make it easy for those of you watching from far and away, Kentucky is struggling badly, even though Mark Stoops seemingly is in good shape there, but that could change. There’s connections to people at Auburn who like Sumrall as well.”

It’s no secret that Kentucky’s 2024 season has not gone as planned. The Wildcats are now 3-6 (1-6 SEC) following a 28-18 loss to Tennessee on Saturday. But considering Stoops’ contract situation (and his track record of success with the program), the idea of him leaving/being fired from Kentucky still feels unlikely at this point.

But that didn’t stop Finebaum from tossing out what he’s been hearing about the situation in Lexington.