UPDATE 2
Kentucky is promoting outside linebackers coach Brad White to defensive coordinator. He will continue to coach outside linebackers, while Jon Sumrall will coach the inside linebackers.
UPDATE
That was fast.
According to Rivals reporter Chase Parham, Jon Sumrall has accepted a role on Kentucky’s defensive coaching staff. The specific role is still unknown.
The Kentucky Wildcats are still searching for their next defensive coordinator after losing Matt House to the Chiefs.
To this point, most of the buzz has centered around outside linebackers coach Brad White, who helped turn Kentucky’s defense around during his first year in Lexington. He also helped develop Josh Allen into the National Defensive Player of the Year and a likely top-five NFL Draft pick.
In the meantime, Mark Stoops is looking to add Ole Miss Rebels linebackers coach Jon Sumrall to Kentucky’s staff, according to Justin Rowland:
New: Cats Illustrated has learned that Ole Miss asst coach Jon Sumrall, a former Kentucky football player, is a very strong candidate to join Mark Stoops' staff at Kentucky. More at the House of Blue. Sumrall is very well regarded in the coaching world https://t.co/6KFByd6SVs pic.twitter.com/l54IGuAg9d
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) February 19, 2019
It’s unclear what role Sumrall would have at Kentucky. It could be as the inside linebackers coach since House held that role before leaving. Sumrall may also be a candidate to be the defensive coordinator, where he has some previous experience.
You may remember Sumrall, who was a three-year letterman at Kentucky from 2002-04. He started every game as a senior and led the Wildcats with 72 tackles.
Since then, Sumrall has had various coaching gigs at San Diego, Tulane, Troy and now Ole Miss, including as a defensive line and linebackers coach. He spent two seasons as San Diego’s defensive coordinator from 2010-11.
Sumrall has been with Ole Miss since being hired in January of 2018 after three seasons at Troy.