Colorado State dismisses defensive coordinator Tyson Summers after mid-game departure

Colorado State head coach Jim Mora confirmed the dismissal of defensive coordinator Tyson Summers following the Rams' 56-26 loss to Oregon State on Saturday. The departure followed an incident in which Summers left the sideline before the end of the first half, a move Mora described as a decision Summers made on his own.

The loss compounded a recent defensive struggle for the Rams, who had previously allowed 59 points to UTSA in a 59-45 defeat the prior week. During the Oregon State game, Summers was present at the start but disappeared after the Beavers established a 14-0 lead with just over one minute remaining in the opening quarter. Mora stated that he had relieved Summers of his play-calling duties prior to the first half concluding.

Co-defensive coordinator Kenny McClendon assumed defensive play-calling responsibilities after Summers' exit. The change in command did not alter the game's trajectory, as Oregon State scored 21 points in the second quarter to hold a 35-14 lead at halftime. The Beavers ultimately secured the 30-point victory on the road.

Mora is in his first season at Colorado State, having spent the previous four years at UConn, where he led the Huskies to nine-win seasons in both 2024 and 2025. Summers had served as interim head coach for the final five games of the 2025 season following the firing of Jay Norvell. Mora chose to retain Summers as defensive coordinator for the current season, but that arrangement has ended.