Jay Norvell didn't just walk into Fort Collins and flip a switch. It’s been a grind. When you look at the Colorado State football staff, you aren't just looking at a list of names on a directory; you’re looking at a specific philosophy that Norvell brought over from Nevada, almost wholesale, to revive a program that had gone stagnant under previous regimes. It’s about the "Air Raid" DNA. But it's also about more than just throwing the ball 50 times a game.
People forget how messy the transition was.
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Success in the Mountain West isn't just about recruiting blue-chip athletes from California or Texas. It's about the guys in the headsets. If the coaching staff isn't aligned, the whole thing falls apart in the high altitude of Canvas Stadium. Right now, the Rams have a group that is uniquely "Norvellian," featuring long-time loyalists and a few key defensive minds tasked with stopping the high-powered offenses that define this conference.
The Norvell Inner Circle
Norvell is the captain of the ship, but Matt Mumme is the engine room. As the Associate Head Coach and quarterbacks coach, Mumme carries a last name that is basically royalty in football circles. His father, Hal Mumme, literally invented the Air Raid. This isn't some imitation version of the offense. It is the source code. When the Colorado State football staff was assembled, bringing Mumme was the non-negotiable first step. They've spent years together, refining a system that prioritizes spacing, speed, and making the opposing linebacker's life a living hell.
It's actually kinda wild how much continuity there is here.
Most college staffs are a revolving door. One good season and your coordinators are gone. One bad season and everyone gets fired. But Norvell has cultivated a circle that trusts the process. Look at Chad Savage, who handles the wide receivers. He’s been instrumental in developing guys like Tory Horton—players who aren't just fast, but are masters of the specific "option routes" that make this offense tick. You can’t just hire a random WR coach and expect them to teach the nuances of the Air Raid. It’s a language. Savage speaks it fluently.
Then there’s the trenches. Bill Best, the offensive line coach, has arguably the hardest job on the staff. The Air Raid is great, but if your QB is on his back, it’s useless. Best has had to overhaul a unit that lacked the lateral agility required for this system. They aren't looking for 350-pound road graders; they need 300-pound athletes who can move. It’s a niche scouting profile that Best has mastered over his years working alongside Norvell.
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Fixing the Other Side of the Ball
Defense has historically been the "yeah, but..." for Air Raid teams. You score fast, your defense gets tired because they're back on the field in two minutes, and suddenly you're losing 52-49. To counter this, Norvell leaned on Freddie Banks as the Defensive Coordinator.
Banks is a rising star. Honestly, he’s probably going to be a head coach somewhere sooner rather than later.
He brought a "4-2-5" philosophy that is designed specifically to counter the spread offenses of the modern era. It's a nickel-heavy package that emphasizes speed in the secondary. Within the Colorado State football staff, Banks is the tactical foil to Mumme’s aggression. He’s had to build a defense that can survive "sudden change" situations—those moments where the offense turns it over or scores so quickly the defense hasn't even finished their Gatorade.
The support staff deserves a shoutout too. You can’t overlook the importance of Tommy Perry, the Special Teams Coordinator. In the Mountain West, where games are often decided by a late field goal in a windy Laramie or a thin-aired Logan, special teams are massive. Perry is known for being an absolute fireball of energy. Players love him. That matters more than people think. If the "boring" parts of the game have a coach that makes them feel elite, the culture shifts.
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The Recruiting Engine and the Transfer Portal
Let’s talk about the support staff you don't see on the sidelines. The recruiting department is the lifeblood now. With the NIL era and the transfer portal, the Colorado State football staff has to function like a pro front office. They aren't just looking at high school film anymore. They are scouting the two-deep of every Power Five program, looking for the guy who is buried on the depth chart at USC or Texas and wants to be a star in Fort Collins.
- Director of Player Personnel: They are the ones filtering the thousands of names in the portal.
- Strength and Conditioning: Jordan Simmons is the guy responsible for making sure these athletes can actually survive the pace Norvell demands.
- Graduate Assistants: The "grunts" who spend 18 hours a day breaking down film so the coordinators can look like geniuses on Saturday.
Why This Staff Structure Actually Works
It’s about "fit" over "fame."
Norvell could have gone out and hired big-name assistants with SEC resumes. He didn't. He chose guys who believe in his specific brand of football. This creates a cohesive locker room. When the coaches aren't arguing about the scheme, the players don't have excuses. They know exactly what is expected of them.
The Rams have faced some lean years lately, and the "Fire the Coach" crowd is always vocal. But if you look at the underlying metrics—passing efficiency, defensive pressure rates, and recruiting rankings—the fingerprints of this specific Colorado State football staff are all over the improvement. They aren't just trying to win a game; they are trying to build a sustainable identity.
Common Misconceptions About the Staff
A lot of fans think an Air Raid staff doesn't care about the run game. That’s basically a myth. Norvell and Best talk constantly about "complementary football." If you watch the Rams closely, the run game is used to punish teams for dropping eight into coverage. The staff isn't stubborn; they’re opportunistic.
Another misconception? That the defense is an afterthought. Freddie Banks has been given a huge amount of autonomy. Norvell doesn't micromanage the defense. He trusts his guys. That’s a hallmark of a good head coach. He’s a CEO who lets his department heads do their jobs.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you want to really understand where this program is headed, stop looking at the scoreboard and start looking at the staff's movements.
Watch the Assistant Hires: If Norvell starts losing guys like Chad Savage or Freddie Banks to bigger programs, pay attention to who he replaces them with. If he stays within the "family" (former Nevada or Mumme-connected coaches), the identity remains stable. If he goes outside, he’s pivoting.
Monitor the Transfer Portal Strategy: The staff has shown a preference for "bounce-back" players—guys who started at big schools and need a second chance. This is a deliberate strategy to close the talent gap quickly.
Focus on "The Trenches": Keep an eye on Bill Best's development of the offensive line. The Air Raid only works if the QB has 2.5 seconds of clean pocket. If the sack numbers go down, the staff is winning.
The Colorado State football staff is currently one of the most intellectually consistent groups in the Group of Five. They know who they are. In a world of constant coaching turnover and identity crises, that clarity is worth its weight in gold. Whether it translates to a Mountain West Championship remains to be seen, but the foundation is undeniably solid.
To keep tabs on the program, follow the official CSU Rams social accounts or check the university’s athletic directory for the most recent updates on position coach changes, as these roles can shift during the offseason coaching carousel. Paying attention to "Quality Control" coach hirings can also give you a hint at who the next breakout assistant might be.