Colorado State's defensive rebuild has DC Kenny McClendon sleeping at work

Kenny McClendon has had his hands full over the last few weeks since he took over as Colorado State's defensive coordinator after the firing of Tyson Summers.

It has been so busy that McClendon has moved into Colorado State's football offices in Fort Collins over the past two weeks while working to rebuild the Rams' defense — at least, according to first-year coach Jim Mora, who shared the story during media availability on Monday, Oct. 19.

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"Kenny hasn’t been home in two weeks," Mora told reporters. "We took (Colorado State linebacker coach Jordan Frost-Dixon's office and turned it into a bedroom for Kenny, so he just sleeps there."

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HC Jim Mora:
“Kenny hasn’t been home in 2 weeks… we took Jordan’s (LB coach) office and turned it into a bedroom for Kenny, so he just sleeps there.” pic.twitter.com/AjQ13YD6dK

— Barstool Colorado State (@BarstoolCSU) October 20, 2026

McClendon assumed defensive coordinator duties for the rest of the season during the second half of Colorado State's 56-26 loss to Oregon State on Oct. 3, after Mora relieved Summers of his play-calling responsibilities in the first half.

Summers, a second-year defensive coordinator who was retained by Mora from former coach Jay Norvell's staff, did not return to the sidelines for the second half against Oregon State. Colorado State, after opening up the season with a 2-0 record, dropped back-to-back games in which its defense gave up at least 40 points and 500 total yards of offense.

In its first full game with McClendon calling plays last week, the Rams gave up a season-high 66 points and 716 total yards of offense. The Rams defense ranks last in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (43.2 points per game) and total defense (530.3 yards per game). Despite that return, though, Mora believes the defense is in "good hands."

"I know things are in good hands. It's just a matter of building the consistency that's going to help us become a good defense," Mora continued.

Colorado State (2-4 overall, 0-2 in Pac-12 play) hosts San Diego State at 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 24.