Colorado State Fires Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers Mid-Game

Colorado State dismissed defensive coordinator Tyson Summers during a 56-26 loss to Oregon State on October 4, 2026. Head coach Jim Mora removed Summers from play-calling duties in the first half before Summers left the field and permanently parted ways with the program.

The Colorado State Rams made a drastic and permanent coaching change on the sideline during a blowout loss to Oregon State at Canvas Stadium. Head coach Jim Mora removed defensive coordinator Tyson Summers from his play-calling duties during the first half after the Beavers built an early lead. Summers left the field entirely and did not return for the remainder of the contest, ending his tenure with the program.

Jim Mora Confirms Permanent Departure After Defensive Collapse

Speaking to reporters after the game, Mora addressed the unusual mid-game dismissal directly. The head coach confirmed that the split was final and that Summers would no longer direct the defense.

Tyson was relieved of his play-calling duties.

Jim Mora, Colorado State head coach

When pressed on whether the move was temporary, Mora offered a blunt assessment. That is permanent, he told the media.

The defensive unit had already surrendered 100 points across the preceding two games and 193 total points through five contests, averaging 38.6 points allowed per game. During the homecoming matchup, the Beavers ultimately accumulated 727 yards of total offense on 71 plays, with quarterback Braden Atkinson completing 30 of 34 passes for 413 yards and five touchdowns while the rushing attack added 291 yards.

Kenny McClendon Takes Over Defensive Play-Calling

With Summers off the field, assistant coach Kenny McClendon stepped in to handle defensive signals.

“Kenny will be the primary play caller. He was put in a very difficult situation tonight, and he responded well. The players responded well. Very first play he called as a defensive coordinator in his life was a sack that caused a fumble. We’re gonna get better. A lot better. He’s a good football coach.”

Jim Mora, Colorado State head coach

Quarterback Braden Atkinson completed 30 of 34 passes for 413 yards and five touchdowns, while the Beavers rushed for 291 yards on 36 carries.

Mounting Defensive Struggles Lead to Staff Shakeup

The mid-game firing came on the heels of an already dismal defensive stretch for the Rams. Colorado State entered Week 5 ranked 129th out of 138 teams in scoring defense, giving up 34.2 points per game. Back-to-back losses to UTSA and BYU had already exposed major vulnerabilities before the Beavers’ offensive onslaught, including a 41-23 defeat against BYU where running back LJ Martin rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns.

Summers, age 46, originally joined the Colorado State staff in January 2025 under former head coach Jay Norvell, previously holding the coordinator position in 2015 under Mike Bobo. Before his time in Fort Collins, Summers worked through numerous stops as a defensive assistant and completed a two-year tenure as head coach at Georgia Southern from 2016 to 2017. The Rams dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play following the defeat, entering a bye week before facing Texas State on October 15.

Jim Mora now faces the challenge of addressing these defensive struggles before the Rams return to action against Texas State.

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