Colorado State Pulls the Plug on Jay Norvell
It’s official. Jay Norvell is out as head football coach at Colorado State after a 2–5 start to the 2025 season — a move that comes less than 24 hours after a 31–19 home loss to Hawaii.
The decision ends a four-year run where Norvell went 18–26 overall, highlighted by a single winning season in 2024 when the Rams finished 8–5 before falling in the Arizona Bowl.
The loss to Hawaii — in front of the largest home crowd in CSU history — was the final blow. What should’ve been a celebration of growth turned into a silent statement from the fans: enough is enough.
Why the Move Had to Happen
Colorado State’s 2025 campaign started with optimism and ended with offensive collapse. The Rams rank outside the top 100 nationally in scoring (106th) and passing offense (111th). Their defense hasn’t held up either, giving up 27 points per game.
Norvell’s staff shuffled quarterbacks, benched Braden Fowler-Nicolosi for Jackson Brousseau, and even handed play-calling duties to Matt Mumme, yet nothing clicked. The team’s two wins — over Northern Colorado and Fresno State — both came with question marks, one being a near-miracle finish.
After the Hawaii loss, Norvell admitted that the Rams “didn’t respond” and “failed to execute in every phase.” When a coach says that seven games in, it’s over.
CSU’s New Direction and Interim Head Coach
Defensive coordinator Tyson Summers will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Summers, a familiar face in Fort Collins, previously held the same defensive post in 2015 before head-coaching stints at Georgia Southern and multiple coordinator stops around the country.
Athletic director John Weber, hired in May 2024, released a statement praising Norvell’s character but acknowledging the need for change:
“Jay is a leader of the highest character who cares deeply about developing his players. My admiration for Jay makes this decision that much more difficult. We thank him for the strong foundation he laid here.”
Whether that “foundation” truly exists is up for debate — because what CSU needs now isn’t words, it’s direction.
A Program in Transition Before the Pac-12 Jump
This firing isn’t just about one bad start. It’s about timing. Colorado State is set to join the new Pac-12 Conference in 2026, and Weber wants his coach to lead that transition.
“Our aspiration is to be the most loved, most watched, and most innovative program in the West,” Weber said in the release.
That kind of language suggests CSU plans to swing big. The Rams want to arrive in the Pac-12 with momentum, not mediocrity.
Top Candidates Emerging for the Job
Industry insiders and On3 reports have already mentioned a short list of names gaining traction:
- Tony Alford (Michigan RB Coach): A Colorado State alum who’s made it clear he’d love to return home. Alford connects with fans and recruits alike — a true identity hire.
- Brent Vigen (Montana State HC): Proven winner at the FCS level with a 52–12 record. Known for physical, disciplined football — exactly what CSU has lacked.
- Bryan Harsin (Cal OC): Dominated at Boise State before a rocky run at Auburn. Now back on the West Coast calling plays for Cal’s high-powered offense.
- Kirby Moore (Missouri OC): One of the fastest-rising offensive minds in the country, with deep Mountain West ties.
If Weber wants to make a statement, Tony Alford should be his first call. He’s one of their own — and the kind of presence who can bring life back to Fort Collins.
Jay Norvell’s Legacy in Fort Collins
Norvell’s time at Colorado State will be remembered as a paradox: the right philosophy, wrong results.
After promising to build a tough, innovative program when he arrived from Nevada, Norvell’s Rams never found their rhythm. They showed flashes — an eight-win season, some late comebacks — but never developed the consistency needed to compete with the region’s best.
And when Colorado State needed stability most, they spiraled instead.
What Comes Next for the Rams
CSU’s remaining schedule — Wyoming, UNLV, New Mexico, Boise State, Air Force — gives Summers and the roster one last chance to show fight. A bowl appearance is unlikely, but retaining players and avoiding transfer chaos is key.
This firing isn’t just about fixing a record. It’s about resetting a culture. Colorado State wants to walk into the Pac-12 with energy, not excuses.
Blueprint Take
Colorado State didn’t just fire a coach — they fired a comfort zone.
Jay Norvell had four years to build something real and didn’t. The Rams are tired of being a “maybe next year” program. They’re stepping into one of the biggest conference shakeups in modern college football, and mediocrity won’t survive that transition.
If the next hire gets it right, Fort Collins could become one of the most intriguing rebuilds in the West. If not, they risk fading into the background again.
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