Mike Cummings - Football Coach - Central Michigan University Athletics

Photo by: Allissa Rusco

Mike Cummings

Title:
Offensive Line
Email:
cummi1mb@cmich.edu
Phone:
(989) 774-3896

Mike Cummings is in his third year serving under head coach Jim McElwain as the Chippewas’ offensive line coach.

In the six-game 2020 season, Cummings mentored a unit that paved the way for running backs Kobe Lewis and Lew Nichols III to rush for a combined 976 yards as CMU finished third in the Mid-American Conference in rushing offense.

Lewis tied for third in the league with six rushing touchdowns, and Cummings’ offensive line helped to produce three of the five longest rushing plays of the season in the MAC, including quarterback Ty Brock’s 82-yard touchdown gallop against Ball State. It ranks as the longest run of the season in a conference game.

Cummings’ offensive line included mainstay tackle Derek Smith, a Second Team All-MAC selection, steady center Jamezz Kimbrough, and Bernhard Raimann, who spent his first season in 2020 at tackle after moving from tight end.

In 2019, Cummings mentored a strong front five that paved the way for both Lewis and Jonathan Ward to surpass 1,000 yards rushing and for the Chippewa offense to churn out a MAC-best 6,070 yards. It marked the first time in program history that the Chippewas had two backs eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in the same season.

CMU scored 426 points in 2019, the fourth most in program history.

Cummings is a familiar name and face around Mount Pleasant as he served under various Chippewa head coaches as the offensive line coach, the offensive coordinator, and as a graduate assistant. In joining McElwain’s staff, it marks the fifth time that Cummings has worn maroon and gold.

Cummings served as the offensive line coach at VMI in 2017-18. In 2018, the Keydets ranked eighth in passing offense among Football Championship Subdivision teams.

Among Cummings’ protégés at CMU was tackle Eric Fisher, who was selected first overall in the 2013 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. As CMU’s offensive coordinator from 2010-13, Cummings oversaw a passing game that ranked among the top 25 nationally in two of his four years on staff.

Cummings earned his bachelor of science degree with a major in physical education/exercise science from Buffalo and his master of arts in athletic administration from CMU.

Mike Cummings coaching resumé
2019-20: Central Michigan (offensive line)
2017-18: VMI (offensive line)
2014-16: Connecticut (offensive coordinator/tight ends/offensive line)
2010-13: Central Michigan (offensive coordinator/offensive line)
2005-09: Marshall (offensive line/recruiting coordinator)
2002-04: Western Michigan (offensive line/recruiting coordinator)
2000-01: Eastern Michigan (defensive line/recruiting coordinator)
1999: Central Michigan (offensive line)
1998: Michigan State (tight ends/special teams)
1992-97: Central Michigan (offensive line)
1990-91: Millersville (Pa.) (offensive line/special teams)
1988-89: Central Michigan (graduate assistant)
1987: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (offensive line)