(Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

Colorado State has fired head coach Jay Norvell after a 2-5 start, the school announced Sunday afternoon.

The news came down a day after the Rams endured a 31-19 homecoming loss to Hawaii in front of a Canvas Stadium record crowd of 40,416.

'Jay is a leader of the highest character who cares deeply about developing his players as athletes, students, and young men,' Colorado State athletic director John Weber said in a statement. '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, 62, managed just one winning mark over four seasons in Fort Collins, an 8-5 mark a season ago that resulted in an Arizona Bowl loss.

Overall, he finished with an 18-26 record with the Rams.

Norvell's tenure in Fort Collins followed a more successful run with Nevada, where he posted a 33-26 record with four bowls in five seasons (2017-21), leading to his hiring at Colorado State.

Defensive coordinator Tyson Summers has been named the interim head coach as Colorado State launches a search for its next coach as it prepares to leave the Mountain West Conference ahead of the 2026 season.

'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.'

Colorado State hits the road next weekend to face Wyoming on Oct. 25.

--Field Level Media