Feature image from USFL News Hub

The 2016 BS Coaching Capsule on Kevin Sumlin

The 2008 BS Coaching Capsule that mentioned Kevin Sumlin (and some other time capsule names)

Who Is He?

Currently unemployed. Oh, wait, I’m sorry, he’s the head coach and GM (and probably head groundskeeper and laundry coordinator) of the USFL’s Houston Gamblers.

For those who don’t remember, Kevin Sumlin played at Purdue in the ‘80s, coached at Purdue under Tiller and went on to be a far more successful coach than Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M.

Before that, his first head coaching gig was a fun four-year run at Houston from 2008-2011, which culminated with a 12-1 season and a new job at A&M. His first year in College Station, he went 11-2 and beat Alabama. At Alabama. While Bama was #1. In November. (In fact, that year was super weird in that they only lost two games and both were at home – by 3 to Florida to open the season and by 5 vs LSU in October). Not a bad start. The problem, of course, with overachieving is that your overachieving year becomes the new baseline expectation. Sumlin was never again able to reach those heights and while his worst season at A&M was 7-5, he was pushed out in favor of Jimbo despite a 51-26 record over six seasons.

Sumlin then went to Arizona for three disastrous years, which finished with an 0-5 2020 that was – justifiably – too much to tolerate for Arizona, especially after losing their rivalry game with Az State…*checks notes*…70-7. Oof.

Why would he be successful at Purdue?

He’s a Purdue guy. He played here, he coached here, and he’s proven that he’s a competent college coach.

Why could he flop at Purdue?

He seems to be trending in the wrong direction. And by “trending,” I mean over his last ten seasons coached, his win total has declined from 12 to 11 to 9 to 8-8-8 to 7 to 5 to 4 to 0.

Would he come to Purdue?

I would think so. It actually feels like if he has anything left in the tank, it would be a lovely bookend to a career. I’d also like to take this moment to note that in 2008 Boilerdowd wanted Kevin Sumlin to be Purdue’s coach back when they hired Danny Hope. Probably would have been a terrific hire then.