The University of Minnesota Crookston football program announced the addition of Taylor Summers as an assistant football coach for the Golden Eagles in the Spring of 2015. Summers will coach the quarterbacks and wide receivers at UMC. Summers is familiar to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) after spending the previous three seasons as a graduate assistant for Bemidji State University (BSU)
While at BSU, Summers worked with the defensive linecoaching four players who earned six All-NSIC honors during his three seasons with the Beavers. During his time at BSU, Dan Kiebler earned All-NSIC Second Team honors twice, while J.J. Reinke earned All-NSIC Second Team honors as a senior and honorable mention honors as a junior. In addition to Kiebler and Reinke, Summers coached Matthew Shaver to All-NSIC Honorable Mention honors in 2013 and Bryan Syrstad to All-NSIC Honorable Mention honors in 2012.
During the 2012 season, BSU’s defensive line was instrumental in helping the Beavers finish second in the league and top 20 nationally in rushing and scoring defense, while also finishing the season second in the NSIC in tackles for loss and pass defense.
Summers came to BSU after serving two seasons as assistant varsity coach at Eastlake High School in his hometown of Sammamish, Wash. At Eastlake, he worked with the linebackers, wide receivers and was the junior varsity offensive coordinator. Summers helped guide the Wolves to a 19-5 record and two appearances in the state tournament, including a quarterfinal finish in 2011. He coached nine players to all-conference honors. As an assistant he worked to develop game plans, scouted opponents and studied film.
Prior to working at Eastlake, Summers served as defensive line coach at his alma mater, Linfield College, an NCAA Division III affilate located in McMinnville, Ore. Summers helped the Wildcats to a 12-1 finish in 2009 and an appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament, where they advanced to the semi-finals. He also coached an All-American during his time with the Wildcats.
Summers was a three-time all-conference defensive lineman at Linfield. He led the Wildcats to an overall record of 18-9 during his time as a player. He was also part of the team’s 52nd, 53rd and 54th straight winning seasons- an NCAA all-divisions record. As a senior captain, he was named D3Football.com All-Region and conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his career fifth all-time in sacks at Linfield.
Prior to attending Linfield, Summers redshirted at Eastern Washington University from 2004-05.
Summers earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Linfield College in 2008. He is currently pursuing a
master’s degree in education at Bemidji State University. Summers resides in Grand Forks, N.D.
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