Colorado State fires DC Tyson Summers after blowout loss to Oregon State

In an article published by The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Jack Randels shared Mora’s explanation of Summers’ departure:

“Tyson was relieved of his playcalling duties; he left the field and is no longer with this football program," Mora said.

The school declined to discuss coaching personnel during the game, directing questions to Mora’s postgame news conference.

Kenny McClendon takes over struggling Colorado State defense

The switch did little to slow down Oregon State's offense Saturday.

The Beavers scored 14 points in the first quarter and 21 in the second to build a 35-14 halftime lead. They finished with 651 yards as quarterback Braden Atkinson completed 31 of 34 passes for 428 yards and five touchdowns.

Colorado State dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Beavers improved to 3-2 and 1-0 in conference play.

The performance followed a 59-45 loss at UTSA that had already prompted public criticism from Mora. The Rams entered Saturday allowing 34.3 points per game, and the conference opener provided no immediate relief.

Summers, 46, was in his second stint overseeing the Rams’ defense. He first held the position in 2015 under Mike Bobo before returning in January 2025 under Jay Norvell.

After Norvell’s firing, Summers served as interim head coach for the final five games of last season. Mora retained him upon taking over the program.

McClendon takes over a Rams defense that allowed 115 points over its last two games. Mora confirmed that McClendon will continue calling the defensive plays.