Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Announces Head Football Coaching Change
10/19/2025 2:01:00 PM | Football, General
Colorado State University announced Sunday that Jay Norvell will not return as head coach of the football program effective immediately.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State University announced today that Jay Norvell will not return as head coach of the football program effective immediately. Tyson Summers will step in as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. CSU will immediately launch a nationwide search for the next head coach.
"Jay is a leader of the highest character who cares deeply about developing his players as athletes, students, and young men," Athletic Director John Weber said. "My admiration for Jay and appreciation for his integrity make this decision that much more difficult. Jay has made this program better during his tenure at CSU. On behalf of the entire Ram family, I sincerely thank Jay for the strong foundation he has laid for our football program.
"However, as we prepare to join the Pac-12 Conference next year, we need to position our program to compete at the highest level. While we've seen progress, a change in leadership is necessary to achieve the sustained excellence our program requires. We are continuing to invest and work hard to ensure that the football program and the next head coach have the resources needed to capitalize on this historic opportunity."
Norvell took over coaching duties at CSU in December 2021 and immediately set out rebuilding the program. In 2023, the team went 5-7 but delivered some significant high points, including CSU's first-ever win over Boise State with a last-second Hail Mary pass caught for a touchdown by tight end Dallin Holker.
In 2024, Norvell guided the Rams to an 8-5 record — the best since 2014 — which included a 24-10 win over Wyoming to bring the Bronze Boot back to Fort Collins. He achieved CSU's first bowl game appearance since 2017, with the Rams facing Miami (Ohio) in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. That year, the football team set an attendance record in Canvas Stadium with an average of 33,082 fans.
Several of Norvell's players from CSU have gone on to the NFL, including defensive end Mohamed Kamara (Tampa Bay) and wide receiver Tory Horton (Seattle), who were both drafted in the 5th round; Kamara in 2024 and Horton in 2025. Several other Norvell-coached former CSU players remain active in the NFL.
Off the field, Jay has been a positive force in the community. During his first year as coach, he started the Grit Run — a 5K fun-run around campus with all proceeds benefiting research for cystic fibrosis, a disease which impacts his wife, Kim, on a daily basis. Over the years, the run has raised more than $60,000.
"We're deeply grateful to Jay and Kim for their contributions to CSU and the entire community," Weber said. "They will always be part of the Ram family, and we wish them the best."
CSU has named Tyson Summers as interim head coach. Summers has been CSU's defensive coordinator since January. He previously served as the team's defensive coordinator in 2014 under then-Head Coach Mike Bobo. Summers came to Colorado State from Western Kentucky, where he was the Hilltoppers' defensive coordinator for three seasons.
"Tyson has a strong track record as a successful coach, and we're fortunate to have him here in Fort Collins," Weber said. "He has been integral to building a culture of accountability within the football locker room, and I am confident in his ability to lead the program for the remainder of the season."
CSU will immediately begin a nationwide search for the next head football coach.
"We have all the ingredients for success here at CSU, and our aspiration is to be the most loved, most watched, and most innovative program in the West," Weber said. "The next head coach of the Rams will be stepping into a program headed to the Pac-12 with the resources and leadership alignment necessary to win and compete at the highest level."
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"Jay is a leader of the highest character who cares deeply about developing his players as athletes, students, and young men," Athletic Director John Weber said. "My admiration for Jay and appreciation for his integrity make this decision that much more difficult. Jay has made this program better during his tenure at CSU. On behalf of the entire Ram family, I sincerely thank Jay for the strong foundation he has laid for our football program.
"However, as we prepare to join the Pac-12 Conference next year, we need to position our program to compete at the highest level. While we've seen progress, a change in leadership is necessary to achieve the sustained excellence our program requires. We are continuing to invest and work hard to ensure that the football program and the next head coach have the resources needed to capitalize on this historic opportunity."
Norvell took over coaching duties at CSU in December 2021 and immediately set out rebuilding the program. In 2023, the team went 5-7 but delivered some significant high points, including CSU's first-ever win over Boise State with a last-second Hail Mary pass caught for a touchdown by tight end Dallin Holker.
In 2024, Norvell guided the Rams to an 8-5 record — the best since 2014 — which included a 24-10 win over Wyoming to bring the Bronze Boot back to Fort Collins. He achieved CSU's first bowl game appearance since 2017, with the Rams facing Miami (Ohio) in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. That year, the football team set an attendance record in Canvas Stadium with an average of 33,082 fans.
Several of Norvell's players from CSU have gone on to the NFL, including defensive end Mohamed Kamara (Tampa Bay) and wide receiver Tory Horton (Seattle), who were both drafted in the 5th round; Kamara in 2024 and Horton in 2025. Several other Norvell-coached former CSU players remain active in the NFL.
Off the field, Jay has been a positive force in the community. During his first year as coach, he started the Grit Run — a 5K fun-run around campus with all proceeds benefiting research for cystic fibrosis, a disease which impacts his wife, Kim, on a daily basis. Over the years, the run has raised more than $60,000.
"We're deeply grateful to Jay and Kim for their contributions to CSU and the entire community," Weber said. "They will always be part of the Ram family, and we wish them the best."
CSU has named Tyson Summers as interim head coach. Summers has been CSU's defensive coordinator since January. He previously served as the team's defensive coordinator in 2014 under then-Head Coach Mike Bobo. Summers came to Colorado State from Western Kentucky, where he was the Hilltoppers' defensive coordinator for three seasons.
"Tyson has a strong track record as a successful coach, and we're fortunate to have him here in Fort Collins," Weber said. "He has been integral to building a culture of accountability within the football locker room, and I am confident in his ability to lead the program for the remainder of the season."
CSU will immediately begin a nationwide search for the next head football coach.
"We have all the ingredients for success here at CSU, and our aspiration is to be the most loved, most watched, and most innovative program in the West," Weber said. "The next head coach of the Rams will be stepping into a program headed to the Pac-12 with the resources and leadership alignment necessary to win and compete at the highest level."
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Players Mentioned
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