(BCSNN) — Colorado State University announced today that Jay Norvell will not return as head football coach, effective immediately. Defensive coordinator Tyson Summers has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season, and CSU will begin a nationwide search for Norvell’s permanent replacement.

"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 the Rams program in December 2021 and led a steady rebuild. In 2023, CSU went 5–7 but delivered a signature moment with a last-second Hail Mary win over Boise State—the program’s first-ever victory against the Broncos. The following season, Norvell guided the Rams to an 8–5 record, their best since 2014, and a bowl appearance in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl against Miami (Ohio).

Under Norvell’s leadership, CSU also reclaimed the Bronze Boot with a 24–10 win over Wyoming and set an attendance record at Canvas Stadium, averaging 33,082 fans in 2024. Several of his players reached the NFL, including Mohamed Kamara (Tampa Bay) and Tory Horton (Seattle), both selected in the fifth round of their respective drafts.

Beyond the field, Norvell made a lasting impact on the Fort Collins community. He launched the Grit Run in 2022, a campus 5K benefiting cystic fibrosis research—a cause close to his family. The event has raised more than $60,000 to date and became a staple of CSU’s outreach efforts.

Summers, who returned to CSU as defensive coordinator in January, previously held the same role in 2014 under Mike Bobo. He spent the past three seasons at Western Kentucky before rejoining the Rams. Colorado State will now look to chart a new course as it begins its search for the next head coach