Rob Summers - Cleveland State University Men's Basketball Head Coach - Episode 1178
Description
Rob Summers is in his first season as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Cleveland State University. An Ohio native, Summers spent 2019-2022 with Cleveland State as an assistant coach, where he helped CSU win the Horizon League and make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009. CSU advanced to the postseason twice during his first stint with the Vikings.
Most recently, Summers joined former Cleveland State head coach Dennis Gates' staff at the University of Missouri for the 2024-25 season, where he served as the team's offensive coordinator. Prior to joining the Tigers, Summers spent two seasons at Miami (Ohio) as associate head coach, where he helped the program achieve its highest Mid-American Conference finish in 10 seasons.
Summers also served as an assistant coach at James Madison, three years as the head coach of Division II Urbana (Ohio) and two years at Glenville State as associate head coach.
As a player, Summers played two seasons at Penn State before transferring to West Virginia, where he helped WVU reach the sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament as a junior and win a NIT Championship as a senior. He played professionally in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
On this episode Mike & Rob discuss his vision for the Cleveland State Men’s Basketball Program, emphasizing the importance of a transformative approach to coaching rather than a transactional one. He reflects on his journey, including previous roles and the experiences that have shaped his coaching philosophy. Central to his strategy is fostering a strong community connection and ensuring that players develop not only on the court but also as individuals. The discussion delves into the significance of building a cohesive team and creating an environment where players feel valued and engaged. Ultimately, Summers seeks to cultivate an atmosphere of growth, accountability, and excitement surrounding Cleveland State Basketball, aiming for success both in terms of wins and character development.
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Grab your notebook before you listen to this episode with Rob Summers, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Cleveland State University.
Website - https://csuvikings.com/sports/mens-basketball
Email - r.c.summers75@csuohio.edu
Twitter/X - @RobSummers33
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