Florida’s Sumrall Named Inaugural Dodd Trophy Coach of the Month
The vibes continue to be sky high for Florida. Eric Singleton Jr. is healthy and made a 38 yard catch in the 52-28 win over Ole Miss last week, the team is now 4-0 for the first time since 2019 and now the man at the helm is being recognized for their success thus far.
Florida coach Jon Sumrall has been announced as the first ever Dodd Trophy Coach of the Month. The Dodd Trophy, named after former Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd, was established in 1976 and represents three main pillars: scholarship, integrity, and leadership. In the past, the award took shape in both a weekly and yearly form, and this season marks the debut of the Coach of the Month.
On the field, the Gators have already shown tremendous growth from the previous regimes. Through four games, they have already matched their win total from last year under Billy Napier. The Gators currently rank fifth in offensive yards per game and top 20 in takeaways, which have propelled them to three wins by over 20 points. Another major headline of the season so far is the true breakout of Heisman candidate running back Jadan Baugh, who has scored the most points of any player in college football this season.
As impressive as the growth on the field has been under Sumrall, the development off the field might be even greater. Since he was hired, Sumrall has brought a fierce mindset and physical style that the Gators have lacked since Urban Meyer.
“Tough teams win,” Sumrall said. “Tough people win in this game.”
Sumrall is extremely forward about his displeasure for complacency, as he demonstrates often with both the team and the press.
Sumrall has shown all the traits required by the Dodd Trophy pillars, with his integrity being remarkably visible. Since day one, Sumrall’s tenacious attitude has lit a fire under his group of players.
Everyone involved with the team, from coaches to players to fans, seem more desperate than ever to return what was seen as a sleeping giant program to its glory days. Despite the success starting to trickle in already for the Gators, Sumrall has stayed true to his teachings and continues to demand his players for more. His foot has yet to come off the gas, and it remains to be seen whether the results will reflect that.
“You don’t hang a banner or get celebrated for where you’re ranked between game four and five,” Sumrall said. “Anybody that’s feeling really good about wherever we’re ranked it means nothing to me today.”
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Football
