Report: Brad White expected to join Jon Sumrall at Florida as defensive coordinator

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentucky Sports Radio’s Adam Luckett reports on X that Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White is expected to follow Jon Sumrall to Florida and become the Gators’ next defensive coordinator. Luckett says Matt Zenitz was the first to report the move.

According to Luckett’s post, Sumrall — now Florida’s new head coach — previously worked alongside White during his time at Kentucky. Sumrall joined the Wildcats’ staff after the 2018 season, spending two years as linebackers coach before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2021. During that stretch, he worked directly with White.

Luckett notes that White’s tenure at Kentucky comes to an end after eight seasons. He initially coached outside linebackers in 2018, helping Josh Allen (then Josh Hines-Allen) win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. White was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2019 and went on to lead Kentucky’s defense to seven consecutive top-40 finishes in ESPN’s SP+ rankings — including a top-five finish in 2022. During his run as defensive play-caller, the Wildcats produced 10 NFL Draft picks.

Luckett also points out that Kentucky will be seeing plenty of White in the future. Under the SEC’s new nine-game scheduling format beginning in 2026, Florida becomes one of three permanent opponents for the Wildcats.

That means both Jon Sumrall and Brad White are expected to return to Kroger Field next season — this time coaching against Kentucky.

This story is based entirely on reporting posted by Adam Luckett of KSR on X.