Central Michigan has boasted one of the MAC’s top offenses during Mike Cummings’ three seasons as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
In 2012, Cummings directed an offense that averaged 6.2 yards per play, ranking No. 2 in the MAC, produced nearly 400 yards of offense per game, and scored 30 or more points in 10 games. The CMU running game was revitalized, as Zurlon Tipton rushed for 1,492 yards, the fourth most in a single season in program history, and 19 touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Radcliff posted the best touchdown to interception ratio of his career (23-9) while his top two targets, Cody Wilson and Titus Davis, etched their names in the CMU record book with standout seasons.
Much of the offensive success can be attributed to the play of the CMU offensive line, which allowed just 15 sacks, ranking No. 17 nationally. Continuity was key, as four of the five up-front players started all 13 games.
Cummings has coached four All-Mid-American Conference offensive linemen over the last three seasons. Colin Miller and Jeff Maddux were both named to the 2010 All-MAC Second Team, while Eric Fisher was a Third Team selection in 2011 and was honored on the All-MAC First Team in 2012.
Fisher, who also earned All-America honors from the Associated Press and SI.com, became the highest NFL draft pick in MAC and program history when he was selected No. 1 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in April 2013. A starter of all 13 games in 2012, Fisher flourished under Cummings’ tutelage rising from a relative unknown commodity at the beginning of the season to a national sensation following dominant performances at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Chippewas ranked in the top 25 nationally in passing offense during both of Cummings’ first two seasons. CMU ranked 25th nationally in 2011, averaging 274.2 yards per game through the air, one year after ranking 20th with a 284.0 yards per game average.
The Chippewas have thrown for 295 or more yards 16 times over the past three seasons, including six games of 350 yards or more.
Cummings has prepared his linemen to effectively play a variety of positions along the line during his tenure. In 24 games over his first two seasons, injuries forced CMU to use nine different starting lineup combinations on the offensive line. Two redshirt freshmen, Andy Phillips and Kevin Henry, combined to make nine starts in 2011, and a reshuffled line still allowed the second fewest sacks per pass attempt in the MAC (17 sacks, 458 pass attempts in 12 games).
The 2010 season marked the start of Cummings’ fourth stint at CMU. He was the Chippewas’ offensive line coach from 1992-97 and 1999, and he was a graduate assistant at CMU during the 1988 and 1989 seasons. Cummings coached seven All-MAC honorees during his previous time at CMU.
Cummings served as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Marshall from 2005-09. At least one Marshall offensive lineman earned All- Conference USA honors in each of his five seasons.
Prior to Marshall, Cummings was the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Western Michigan for three seasons.
Cummings’ career also includes stops at Eastern Michigan (defensive line/ special teams/recruiting coordinator, 2000-01), Michigan State (tight ends/ special teams, 1998), Millersville (offensive line, 1990-91) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (offensive line, 1987).
During his collegiate coaching career, Cummings has coached 26 all- conference players, 11 academic all-conference players, three All-Americans and two freshman All-Americans.
Cummings earned three varsity letters in football at Buffalo. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and exercise science from Buffalo in 1984 and his master’s degree in athletics administration from CMU in 1990.
Cummings and his wife Donna have two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily.
