Following his prep career, Sumlin attended Purdue University and was a starting linebacker throughout his entire college career. He was a member of the 1984 Peach Bowl team and finished in the top 10 in total tackles with 375 (191 solo, 184 assisted) and in the top 20 in solo tackles with 191. He led the team in tackles during his freshman season of 1983 with 91 total tackles, (50 solo, 41 assisted). He was a teammate of players such as Jim Everett, Hall of Famer Rod Woodson, fellow linebacker Fred Strickland, and long-time NFL players Mel Gray and Cris Dishman.
On December 10, 2011, Sumlin told his players he was leaving Houston, effective immediately, to accept a job at another school.[12]KRIV in Houston and ESPN's Joe Schad both reported that Sumlin was to become the new coach at Texas A&M University. Special-teams coordinator Tony Levine coached Houston in the 2012 TicketCity Bowl.[13][14]
In 2012, Sumlin named quarterback Johnny Manziel his starter.[15] Manziel went on to win the Heisman Trophy and Sumlin took Texas A&M, in their first year in the Southeastern Conference, to an 11–2 record, including victories over then No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and No. 11 Oklahoma in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. The Aggies finished the 2012 season ranked in the top five of both the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll for the first time since 1956. Texas A&M also led the SEC in total offense, total scoring offense, and total rushing yards, and led the nation in third down conversion percentage. Sumlin and the Aggies became the first SEC team in history to amass over 7,000 yards in total offense. Coach Sumlin was the first head coach to win more than eight games in his first season as head coach.[16]
On November 30, 2013, Sumlin agreed to a new six-year contract as head coach at Texas A&M. The contract, valued at $30 million over six years, was guaranteed. If Texas A&M had fired him after the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the buyout amounts ($20 million and $15 million, respectively) would have had to be paid out within 60 days of termination.[17]
On November 21, 2017, news outlets reported that Sumlin would be fired following the 2017 season finale against LSU.[18] On November 26, 2017, Sumlin was fired after six seasons. He compiled a 51–26 record during his tenure. Despite never posting a losing record as the coach of A&M, he only won more than nine games once, and only had one winning record in SEC play. Sumlin received a $10.4 million buyout under the terms of his contract, and was replaced by Jimbo Fisher for the 2018 season.[19]
On January 14, 2018, Sumlin was hired as the University of Arizona's head coach.[20] Sumlin suffered perhaps the worst defeat of his coaching career when his University of Arizona team lost to their traditional in-state rival Arizona State on December 11, 2020, by a score of 70–7. The following day, Sumlin was fired.[21][22]
On January 6, 2022, Sumlin was named the head coach and general manager for the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League.[23] Sumlin's Gamblers finished 3–7 in his lone season and did not qualify for the postseason.
Return to college coaching
On February 14, 2023, Sumlin was hired as the University of Maryland's associate head coach, co-offensive coordinator, and tight ends coach.[1][2]
Arrest
Sumlin was arrested and charged in Tampa, Florida with a DUI on October 21, 2023. Police requested Sumlin to provide a breathalyzer, to which he refused. Sumlin pleaded not guilty and waived arraignment. If prosecuted, the charge carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison.[24] Maryland head coach Mike Locksley said on October 24 that Sumlin will not be with the team for the October 28 game at Northwestern and that he should expect to face some sort of discipline for the incident.[25]
^ abSumlin left for Texas A&M University following the regular season. Tony Levine served as interim head coach for the Cougars in the TicketCity Bowl. Houston finished the season with an overall record of 13–1.
^ abSumlin was fired after the regular season. Jeff Banks served as interim head coach for the Aggies in the Belk Bowl. Texas A&M finished the season with an overall record of 7–6.