What seemed inevitable came to fruition on Sunday morning.

Tulane University football head coach Jon Sumrall accepted the University of Florida’s offer to become their next head coach after a season full of woes for the Gators.

Sumrall signed a six-year, $44.7 million contract, which is significantly more money than he would have made if he stayed with the Green Wave. Taking over a program with such a storied history is appealing, and he has an opportunity to turn it around to win the Gators’ first national championship since 2008. 

It’s never fun to see a leader leave. Sumrall has been an incredible asset since he stepped foot on campus. 

But, people also weren’t happy when former head coach Willie Fritz took the job at the University of Houston, thinking that everything was going to crumble after the departure.

That was not so. Sumrall came in and did what he set out to do, which was to continue the upward trajectory of Tulane football. Now, he has an opportunity on the Power Four level, an even bigger one than Fritz currently has.

Tulane and other Group of Five schools alike are merely a stepping stone. The American Conference has been absolutely gutted of its coaches. The University of South Florida’s head coach Alex Golesh will take over at Auburn University. Ryan Silverfield of the University of Memphis is leaving to coach the University of Arkansas. Last but not least, the University of North Texas’ head coach Eric Morris will be leaving for Oklahoma State University.

Why are people mad? Money is money, both for the coaches themselves and what they’re able to use for their players. He should be wished nothing but success for his new chapter at Florida, especially after what he has done for Tulane.

Oh, wait, I almost forgot.

The biggest game of the season — the American Conference Championship — is this Friday at home versus North Texas, which is essentially a play-in for the College Football Playoff. I didn’t even expect the Green Wave to be here after losing to the University of Texas at San Antonio; I was dead wrong. They fought their way back to the top with a vengeance, and Sumrall set the tone the entire way.

He will be coaching this game, as his request to finish the season with Tulane was granted. He’s going out with class, and we should give him the respect that he’s shown us since day one. 

Right now, that’s the only thing people should be worried about. The culture he helped build will stay, and all signs are pointing to Tulane continuing to be a powerhouse in the Group of Five. 

So, for his last home game in Uptown, let’s pack Yulman to the brim, get loud and give Sumrall and his family one last Helluva Hullabaloo. RMFW.