Green Wave Sign 16 Players on 2012 National Signing Day
Jon Sumrall enters his first season as defensive line coach at Tulane.
Sumrall, 29, comes to New Orleans after spending the last five seasons at the University of San Diego. Sumrall came to USD in 2007 from the University of Kentucky where he worked with USD head coach, Ron Caragher.
From 2007-09, he served as USD's defensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and camp coordinator. He served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2010-2011 and assumed the role of assistant head coach during the 2011 Toreros season.
In 2011, the Toreros chalked up a 9-2 campaign including a 7-1 conference mark. The 2011 was ranked nationally 15th in run defense (113 ypg), 13th in pass efficiency defense, 4th in sacks (3.64 pg), and 16th in 3rd down percentage defense (32.2 percent).
The USD defense had numerous players receive accolades. Sophomore defensive end Blake Oliaro was named Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year, AP FCS Second Team All-American, First Team All-Conference, and Team Defensive MVP. The Torero defense placed five others on the All-Conference list. Linebacker Zach Dunaj, safety Loka Kanongataa, and corner Al-Rilwan Adeyemi all made First Team All-Conference; while linebacker Joe Martin and defensive end Mario Kurn were selected Second Team-All Conference.
During Sumrall's first season as defensive coordinator in 2010, the defense ranked first in scoring defense (16.1 ppg), total defense (265 ypg), run defense (67.1 ypg), and third down conversions (31.7%) in league play. The defense also ranked second in the conference in pass defense (197.9 ypg).
Following the 2010 season, defensive end Mario Kurn was named a Ted Hendricks Award finalist, Buck Buchanan Award Finalist, First Team All-America by Phil Steele and The Sports Network, Second Team All-America by the Associated Press, First Team All-Conference and Team MVP. Defensive back Al-Rilwan Adeyemi was named First team All-Pioneer Football League and Defensive MVP. Safety Loka Kanongataa was acknowledged as Second Team All-Conference while linebacker Mike Calahan, defensive tackle Dusty Geyer, and safety Fred Obi were named honorable mention All-PFL.
During the 2008 season Sumrall coached two players who received post-season accolades. Defensive tackle Chris Gianelli was named 2008 USD Defensive MVP and defensive end Kevin Dunn was tabbed as USD's Most Improved Defensive Player. In 2007 Sumrall coached defensive end Eric Bakhtiari who was a 2007 Walter Camp First Team All American and an AP First Team All American in the Football Championship Subdivision. Bakhtiari also earned honors as a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year, and USD's Defensive MVP. Bakthiari's season totals for 2007 were 76 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, and 20 sacks. The 20 sacks led the FCS for sacks in the 2007 season. Sumrall also oversaw the development of defensive tackle Alex Rice who was tabbed as USD's Most Improved Defensive Player of the Year by the Torero's coaching staff.
Sumrall spent two seasons (2005-2006) serving as the defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Kentucky. In 2006 Kentucky recorded an 8-5 record and finished the season with a victory over Clemson in the Music City Bowl. While at Kentucky he worked with the linebackers and the secondary.
He also had a lead responsibility in breaking down opponent film, organizing scouting reports, handling "self scout" of UK tendencies, and running the offensive scout team. As a collegiate player Sumrall was a three-year letterman at middle linebacker for the Kentucky Wildcats from 2002-04.
His best season came in 2004 when he started every game while leading the team with 72 tackles. As a high school player at Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama, Sumrall was a two time all-state performer and a four-year letterman.
A native of Huntsville, Ala., Sumrall completed his bachelor's degree in finance in 2004 and has completed coursework on a master's degree in sports leadership. While in college he was a member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll and also was selected for the Frank G. Ham Society of Character by UK Athletics.
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