Taylor Summers was named Director of Strength & Conditioning at Chicago State University on May 16, 2024. Since stepping into the role, he has led significant growth within the department, supporting CSU’s sport expansion and elevating performance services across all programs.

Summers has overseen the integration of new teams—including women’s triathlon and football—while directing strength and conditioning support for all 16 varsity sports. He played a key role in the success of women’s volleyball during their 2024 NEC Championship run and NCAA Tournament appearance, serving as the team’s primary performance coach. In 2025, he guided the women’s soccer program through a historic fall season that produced the highest win total in program history.

Under his leadership, CSU has upgraded its training equipment and implemented advanced performance monitoring tools such as force plates and GPS technology. He has also expanded the department’s nutrition offerings, enhancing the fueling station to provide athletes with high-quality options that support training and recovery.

Prior to joining the Cougars, Summers spent two years as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Dakota Wesleyan University, where he directed performance training for all 14 varsity sports. During his tenure, he contributed to the football program’s first winning season in seven years (2023) and supported the women’s volleyball team during its 2022 NAIA National Tournament appearance. He also trained the women’s basketball teams that advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in both 2022 and 2023. Multiple DWU athletes earned NAIA All-America honors and GPAC First Team All-Conference recognition under his guidance.
Summers completed his Master of Science degree at Bemidji State University (NCAA Division II) in 2015, where he served as an assistant football and strength coach and contributed to the program’s NSIC North Division championship. After finishing his graduate assistantship, he spent two years at the University of Minnesota–Crookston (NCAA Division II) as the strength and conditioning coordinator and assistant football coach, developing multiple All-NSIC performers. He later broadened his experience at the University of Washington (NCAA Division I), interning with the Olympic Sports performance staff and assisting with men’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s crew, and baseball.

Summers holds multiple industry-leading credentials, including the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS),
NSCA Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC), and IUSCA IQF Level One certification. He began his collegiate career at Eastern Washington University before completing his undergraduate degree at Linfield University in 2008. As a student-athlete, he earned Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-Region honors in football, contributing to the program’s 63rd consecutive winning season.