When looking at the big picture of the 2026 season for the Auburn Tigers, Head Coach Alex Golesh will get to see a lot of familiar faces across the field in his first year on the Plains.
From former colleagues to other coaches that he has competed against in years past, it’s another trip down memory lane in this new era of Golesh’s coaching career.
On Saturday, Sept. 19, one of his most notable reunions will take place, as Jon Sumrall brings his Florida Gators up to Jordan-Hare Stadium to open up SEC play.
The emotions will already be high in the building, as the Tigers and Gators have not faced off since 2019 and at Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2011. However, the last time Golesh and Sumrall met as head coaches, it was not entirely a pleasant memory for Golesh.
Both coaches enter their first year as coaches in the SEC having come over from programs in the American Athletic Conference—Golesh from USF, Sumrall from Tulane.
The Bulls and Green Wave met at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans in 2024, one that saw Tulane put a rout on USF 45-10. It was a game where Golesh’s squad got outgained 528 yards to 201 and only rushed for 26 total yards.
“If you wanted to have a really, really rough morning, you could have sat with me and watched that yesterday again, for maybe 200th time, and again, wanted to throw up,” Golesh said.
However, their 2026 meeting is a new year, and Golesh knows that this game is of high magnitude.
Through two games against Florida Atlantic and Campbell, Florida has turned over their opponents over five times and given up just 24 points, making for quick work on the last two Saturdays.
From the early moments Golesh understands the game will be a fist fight, but knows because of all the familiar faces Sumrall brought over from Tulane, will be one that elevates the Gators defense.
“In terms of that staff, with Coach (Brad) White coming from Kentucky and my last time in this league, that's where a lot of familiarity comes from,” Golesh said. “Defensive Coordinator at Tulane is sitting in that room. A large chunk of that staff is sitting in that room, obviously.”
The Auburn head coach has a strong relationship with Sumrall and the coach that he is, touting that in his Monday press conference.
Sumrall’s time at Tulane was preceded by a stint with the Troy Trojans, where he went 23-14. Leaving New Orleans, he finished off his time with the Green Wave with a trip to the College Football Playoff.
When Golesh and Sumrall take the field, Golesh understands it will be a fierce game.
At the end of the day, he will still have respect for him, but when it comes to the ball being kicked off on Saturday night, they are opponents fighting for a win.
“I've got a ton of respect for Jon,” Golesh said. “We were both assistants in this league at the same time, and he did a great job at Troy, high-end job at Troy. Did a high-end job at Tulane. I've got a ton of respect for how he works, ton of respect for who he is. I think he does it the right way, competes like crazy. I've got a lot of respect for him. This week, don't care."
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
