Jay Norvell is out as Colorado State football coach.
CSU officially announced the move the afternoon of Oct. 19.
He is owed a $1.5 million buyout from CSU, per the terms of his contract.
The Rams still have five games left in the 2025 regular season. He’s the first CSU coach to be fired midseason since Sark Arslanian was let go five games into the 1981 season.
Why was Jay Norvell fired?
Norvell came to CSU from Nevada, where he had built the Wolf Pack into a Mountain West contender.
The 2021 Nevada team went 8-4, with the last game of the regular season a dominant 52-10 win in Fort Collins against a Steve Addazio-led CSU. Addazio was ejected during that game and fired shortly after.
CSU’s athletic director at the time was Joe Parker, who hired Norvell to take over from the messy end of the Addazio era.
Norvell went 3-9 in 2022 in Norvell’s first season at CSU. The Rams then went 5-7 in 2023 and 8-5 in 2024 as CSU made its first bowl game since 2017.
CSU lost 43-17 to Miami (Ohio) in the 2024 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. Norvell and CSU didn’t agree to a contract extension in the offseason, meaning he entered the 2025 season on Year 4 of a five-year deal without new terms.
Fan scrutiny quickly escalated in 2025 when CSU narrowly beat FCS foe Northern Colorado, with a controversial refereeing decision helping the Rams avoid an embarrassing loss.
CSU then lost to UTSA, with a decision to go for two and the win in the final minute stirring more discussion. The Rams were meek offensively a week later in a 20-3 loss to Washington State. Then CSU was blown out 45-24 at San Diego State on Oct. 3 to open Mountain West play.
CSU’s move to the Pac-12 in 2026 is a looming presence. Norvell went 3-9 in his CSU tenur against teams who will be part of the new Pac-12.
CSU president Amy Parsons and athletic director John Weber have taken over leadership roles since Norvell was hired.
Instant reaction to Colorado State firing Jay Norvell as football coach
Coloradoan reporter Kevin Lytle with quick reaction to Jay Norvell being fired as CSU football coach in the middle of the 2025 season.
Who will replace Jay Norvell?
CSU announced defensive coordinator Tyson Summers will serve as the interim for the remainder of the season.
Jay Norvell contract details, buyout
Norvell’s salary for 2025 season is $1.9 million. He is owed a $1.5 million buyout from CSU.
Jay Norvell’s coaching record
Norvell’s best season at CSU came in 2024 when the Rams went 8-4 in the regular season. He twice hit the eight-win mark at Nevada.
- 2017: 3-9 (at Nevada)
- 2018: 8-5 (at Nevada)
- 2019: 7-6 (at Nevada)
- 2020: 7-2 (at Nevada)
- 2021: 8-4 (at Nevada)
- 2022: 3-9
- 2023: 5-7
- 2024: 8-5 (lost in Arizona Bowl)
- 2025: 2-5
Career head coaching record: 51-52
CSU record: 18-26
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This story has been updated with additional information.
