Colorado State defensive coordinator Tyson Summers was removed from his play-calling role during the Rams’ 56-26 loss to Oregon State after another disastrous defensive start. Summers then left the sideline, and head coach Jim Mora confirmed after the game that he was permanently out of the program. [AP]
The unusual sequence made it appear that Summers had simply been fired in the middle of the game. Mora’s explanation was more specific: he said he stripped Summers of his defensive play-calling duties, but Summers decided on his own to leave the field. Mora subsequently made the separation permanent. [AP]
What Happened To Tyson Summers?
Summers began Colorado State’s October 3, 2026 game against Oregon State as the Rams’ defensive coordinator and defensive play-caller.
Things went badly almost immediately.
Oregon State scored touchdowns on each of its first two possessions. At that point, Mora relieved Summers of his play-calling responsibilities and turned the defense over to co-defensive coordinator Kenny McClendon. [Colorado State]
Summers subsequently disappeared from the sideline.
After the game, Mora confirmed that Summers was no longer part of the football program. [AP]
Was Tyson Summers Actually Fired In The Middle Of The Game?
Not initially.
Mora said the decision he made during the game was to take away Summers’ authority to call the defense.
According to Mora, he did not order Summers to leave the sideline.
Mora said having Summers leave the field “wasn’t anything that I would ever consider” and that Summers “made the decision on his own to leave the field.”[AP]
After Summers left, however, the situation became permanent.
Mora said following the game that Summers was no longer with the program and called it a permanent move. [AP]
The sequence was therefore:
Oregon State scored touchdowns on its first two possessions.
Mora removed Summers as the defensive play-caller.
Kenny McClendon took over the defensive calls.
Summers left the sideline.
Mora confirmed after the game that Summers was permanently out of the program.
Why Did Jim Mora Remove Summers As Play-Caller?
The immediate trigger was Oregon State’s extremely successful start against Colorado State’s defense.
But Summers’ removal came after weeks of defensive problems rather than just two bad drives.
Colorado State had already surrendered 41 points to BYU and then 59 points in a loss to UTSA. After giving up another 56 to Oregon State, the Rams had allowed 193 points through five games, an average of 38.6 per game. [AP]
Mora acknowledged after the Oregon State defeat that Colorado State had endured three consecutive poor defensive performances.
“We’ve given up a gazillion points,” Mora said while discussing the team’s struggles. [Colorado State]
How Bad Was Colorado State’s Defense Against Oregon State?
Oregon State overwhelmed Colorado State statistically.
The Beavers finished with 727 yards of total offense, the second-most ever allowed by a Colorado State defense. Quarterback Braden Atkinson threw for 413 yards and five touchdowns. Oregon State also produced five scoring drives covering at least 75 yards. [Colorado State]
Colorado State briefly rallied to tie the game at 14 after Summers’ play-calling duties were removed.
Oregon State then responded by scoring touchdowns on six consecutive drives. [Colorado State]
The Beavers eventually won 56-26, dropping Colorado State to 2-3. [ESPN]
What Happened On Kenny McClendon’s First Defensive Play?
There was initially a dramatic response to the coaching change.
On the first defensive play after McClendon took over the calls, Colorado State linebacker Kenyon Agurs recorded a strip-sack and recovered the fumble.
The turnover helped Colorado State tie the game 14-14. [Colorado State]
Mora pointed to the play afterward while praising McClendon for taking over under difficult circumstances.
The defensive turnaround was short-lived, however, as Oregon State soon resumed scoring almost at will.
Who Is Kenny McClendon?
McClendon was already one of Mora’s top defensive assistants before Summers’ departure.
He served as Colorado State’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach and had previously worked under Mora at UConn.
Mora announced after the Oregon State game that McClendon would become Colorado State’s primary defensive play-caller going forward. [Colorado State]
Why Was Tyson Summers Still At Colorado State?
Summers was originally retained from the previous Colorado State coaching staff.
He served as defensive coordinator under Jay Norvell in 2025. When Colorado State fired Norvell during that season, Summers was promoted to interim head coach for the final five games. [Colorado State]
Colorado State hired Mora after the season, and Mora elected to keep Summers as defensive coordinator rather than replace the entire defensive staff.
That partnership lasted just five games into the 2026 season.
Why Was The In-Game Coaching Change So Unusual?
College football coaches routinely change play-callers, but those moves usually happen after a game, during a bye week or between seasons.
It is far less common for a coordinator to lose play-calling duties during the first half and then disappear from the sideline before the game is finished.
Summers’ departure became especially unusual because Mora said the coach was not initially being ordered off the field. The demotion became a complete separation after Summers chose to leave. [AP]
Did Tyson Summers Quit Or Was He Fired?
The distinction is complicated.
Mora removed Summers from his play-calling position, Summers then left the sideline, and Mora subsequently confirmed that Summers was no longer employed by the program.
Mora specifically said he had not planned to order Summers off the field when he changed play-callers.
But once Summers departed, Mora made clear that the break was permanent. [AP]
As of October 4, Summers had not publicly offered a detailed version of what happened, meaning Mora’s account remains the primary firsthand explanation of the sequence.
What Does Summers’ Departure Mean For Colorado State?
McClendon will take over as the Rams’ primary defensive play-caller while Mora attempts to stabilize a unit that has struggled badly through the first five games.
The timing at least gives Colorado State additional preparation time.
The Rams have a bye before returning to action at Texas State on October 15, giving Mora and his staff 12 days between games to reorganize the defense. [Colorado State]
The Bottom Line
Tyson Summers’ departure began when Jim Mora stripped him of Colorado State’s defensive play-calling duties after Oregon State scored touchdowns on its first two possessions.
Mora said Summers was not originally ordered to leave the game. Instead, Summers chose to leave the sideline after losing his play-calling responsibilities.
Mora then confirmed after Colorado State’s 56-26 loss that Summers was permanently out of the program. [AP]
The change followed a brutal three-game defensive stretch and an Oregon State performance in which the Beavers accumulated 727 yards and scored touchdowns on six consecutive possessions. Kenny McClendon will now serve as Colorado State’s primary defensive play-caller. [Colorado State]
