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Following this afternoon’s announcement of Jon Sumrall’s departure, Troy Director of Athletics Brent Jones named defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato as Troy’s interim head coach for its Birmingham Bowl appearance.

“On behalf of Troy University, I thank Coach Jon Sumrall for the outstanding leadership he has provided our football program,” Troy Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. said. “Jon has made good on his promise to return our proud program to a championship level. In turn, our commitment to the football program is unwavering, for we will soon add an indoor practice facility to our beautiful campus as we appoint a new head coach to lead our program. Troy University remains steadfast in our pursuit of excellence and status as a leader in the Sun Belt Conference. We have a championship-winning culture within our football program, and I have full confidence our next head coach will continue that winning tradition.”

“I would like to thank Coach Jon Sumrall for his exemplary commitment to excellence these past two seasons leading our storied football program to back-to-back championships,” Jones said. “Troy University, thanks to our incredible university leadership, has a proven track record of unwavering commitment to success and invests heavily in the development of our student-athletes. With a Sun Belt leading eight conference championships, 10 or more wins in five of the last eight seasons, a forthcoming indoor practice facility and cementing our status as a leader in our conference in commitments to our coaches and student-athletes.

“We look forward to identifying the next leader of our program who will continue our trajectory as the premier football program in the Sun Belt,” Jones said. “Our process will be thorough and comprehensive as we select our program’s next head football coach.”

Gasparato takes over Troy’s interim head coach duties after leading one of the best defenses in the country. Troy set the program and Sun Belt single-season record with 45 sacks; the Trojans rank in the top 15 nationally in sacks (6^th), scoring defense (10^th), rushing defense (10^th) and total defense (15^th).

Co-defensive coordinator Tayler Polk will take over the defensive play calling duties for the Birmingham Bowl, while Bam Hardmon will oversee recruiting and David Mackie will coach Troy’s safeties.

Troy takes on Duke in the 76 Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 23 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala., in the first-ever bowl matchup between a Sun Belt and Power Five program.