Rob Summers has been appointed as the new head coach of the Cleveland State University (CSU) men’s basketball team, as announced by Director of Athletics Kelsie Gory Harkey on April 9, 2025. Summers, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Vikings from 2019 to 2022, becomes the 18th head coach in the program’s history. During his earlier tenure at CSU, Summers played a pivotal role in the team’s success. As the offensive coordinator, he significantly boosted the Vikings’ scoring average by over 10 points per game. This offensive surge contributed to CSU securing the Horizon League championship and earning their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2009. Following his initial stint with the Vikings, Summers joined the University of Missouri’s coaching staff for the 2024-25 season under former CSU head coach Dennis Gates. At Missouri, he continued his role as offensive coordinator and worked closely with the team’s post players. Under his guidance, Missouri’s offense achieved a national ranking of ninth, and forward Mark Mitchell received third-team All-SEC honors. The Tigers also made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament during his tenure. Summers’ coaching career is marked by diverse experiences across various institutions. He served as associate head coach at Miami (Ohio), where he contributed to the program’s highest Mid-American Conference finish in a decade. His resume also includes roles as an assistant coach at James Madison University and as the head coach of Division II Urbana University in Ohio. As a player, the Columbus, Ohio native began his collegiate basketball journey at Penn State before transferring to West Virginia University (WVU). At WVU, he was instrumental in leading the Mountaineers to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament and captained the team to an NIT Championship in his senior year. Summers graduated from WVU with a degree in sports management and later earned a master’s in athletic coaching education. His professional playing career spanned multiple continents, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. The decision to appoint Summers followed an extensive national search conducted with the assistance of Collegiate Sports Associates. His return to CSU has been met with enthusiasm from the university’s leadership. Director of Athletics Kelsie Gory Harkey expressed confidence in Summers’ ability to sustain and build upon the program’s recent successes. She highlighted his previous contributions to the team and his alignment with the university’s goals of achieving excellence both on and off the court. Summers’ appointment has also garnered praise from notable figures in the basketball community. Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who played alongside Summers at WVU, commended his energy, passion, and commitment to relationship building. Similarly, Dennis Gates lauded Summers for his dedication to player development and his strong work ethic, predicting a bright future for him as a Division I head coach. Summers’ coaching journey reflects a consistent trajectory of growth and achievement. His return to Cleveland State is seen as a strategic move to leverage his extensive experience and deep understanding of the program’s culture. As he steps into his new role, the CSU community eagerly anticipates the continued advancement of the men’s basketball program under his leadership.
