Colorado State fired defensive coordinator Tyson Summers during Saturday’s 56-26 loss to Oregon State. Coach Jim Mora relieved Summers of his play-calling duties early in the first half, and Summers left the sideline and the program. Summers was relieved of play-calling duties in the first half and left the sideline, never to return during the Rams’ Pac-12 debut.
Tyson Summers fired mid-game after poor defensive start
Assistant Kenny McClendon took over defensive play-calling duties early in the first quarter, well before the final whistle, according to CBS Sports‘ Matt Zenitz. On the game broadcast, sideline reporter Dalen Cuff said McClendon had been calling the defensive plays “since about midway through the first quarter” and that Summers “has not been on the sideline since the first quarter,” per The Coloradan.
Summers was spotted on the sideline earlier in the game but left during the first half. A source told ESPN‘s Pete Thamel that Summers was relieved of his duties rather than fired during the game, with the formal dismissal announced after the loss.
What it means: McClendon takes over the defense
McClendon, Colorado State’s assistant head coach and defensive line coach, will take over as the Rams’ defensive coordinator, according to Zenitz. The change did not slow Oregon State on Saturday. The Beavers scored 14 points in the first quarter before the swap, then piled on 21 more in the second quarter and another 21 in the second half to complete the blowout.
Mora, in his first season at Colorado State after leaving UConn, made clear he was not willing to wait until the final whistle to make a change at the position.
Context: a defense already near the bottom of the country
The firing capped a brutal stretch for a Rams defense that entered the week ranked 129th nationally, allowing 34.3 points per game. Colorado State has now given up at least 41 points in three straight losses. Summers had served as Colorado State’s defensive coordinator since 2025 and also spent five games as the Rams’ interim head coach last season after Jay Norvell was fired. When Mora took over as head coach, he retained Summers as his defensive coordinator before Saturday’s decision to move on.
What’s next
McClendon now leads a Colorado State defense that must regroup quickly as the Rams continue Pac-12 play.
Reporting from ESPN, CBS Sports and Sporting News contributed to this story.
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