Colorado State Fires Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers During First Quarter of Blowout Loss
Head coach Jim Mora confirmed the decision after the Rams' 56-26 defeat to Oregon State.
Colorado State has fired defensive coordinator Tyson Summers in the first quarter of the team's 56-26 loss to Oregon State on Saturday. Head coach Jim Mora confirmed the termination following the game. The Rams' defeat drops their season record to 2-3 and marks a loss in their Pac-12 opener.
The decision to dismiss Summers mid-game is considered highly unusual in college football. Summers was present on the sideline at the game's start, but disappeared with approximately one minute remaining in the first quarter as Oregon State established a 14-0 lead.
Summers' defense had been struggling, having allowed 40 or more points in consecutive games prior to Saturday's matchup. Entering the game, the Rams were allowing an average of 34.3 points and 454 yards per contest, having conceded 100 points in their previous two outings. The frustration from the coaching staff was evident, with television cameras capturing an animated sideline confrontation between Mora and Summers during the Rams' 59-45 loss to UTSA in Week 4.
Mora had publicly stated his intention to simplify the defense and reduce explosive plays that had been plaguing the team. Following Summers' dismissal, co-defensive coordinator Kenny McClendon assumed play-calling duties, with cornerbacks coach Trent Matthews handling signal calling.
Colorado State officials declined to comment on Summers' status during the game, telling The Fort Collins Coloradoan that there were "no comments about football coaching personnel at this time." According to Mora, McClendon will continue as the defensive play caller moving forward.
Despite the change in defensive leadership, the Rams' defense gave up an additional 42 points to Oregon State in the remainder of Saturday's contest, with the Beavers accumulating a season-high 652 total yards of offense. McClendon now has the bye week to prepare the defense for their next opponent, the Texas State Bobcats (2-3), whom the Rams will face on the road next week.