University of Connecticut Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Offensive Line
Mike Cummings is in his third year on the UConn staff in 2016 and works with the offensive line and serves as the co-offensive coordinator.
Cummings helped lead UConn to an appearance in the 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl – the fourth postseason game of his coaching career.
Prior to joining the UConn staff, Cummings was the offensive coordinator at Central Michigan from 2010-13. During Cummings’ tenure at CMU, the school boasted one of the Mid-American Conference’s top offenses. Cummings had position responsibility for the offensive line at Central Michigan and coached offensive tackle Eric Fisher, who was the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cummings and UConn head coach Bob Diaco were on the same coaching staff together at Eastern Michigan in 2000 and ‘01.
In 2012, Cummings directed a CMU 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. Much of the offensive success can be attributed to the play of the CMU offensive line, which Cummings has position responsibility for, which allowed just 15 sacks, ranking No. 17 nationally.
Cummings coached five 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 Fisher was a Third Team selection in 2011 and was honored on the All-MAC First Team in 2012. Andy Phillips was a second team pick in 2013.
Fisher, who also earned All-America honors from the Associated Press, became the highest NFL draft pick in MAC and Central Michigan history. A starter of all 13 games in 2012, Fisher flourished under Cummings’ tutelage rising from a relatively 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 2010 and ‘11 under Cummings. 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 17 times over the past four seasons, including six games of 350 yards or more.
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).
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.
Cummings and his wife Donna have two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily.
Year-By-Year With Mike Cummings
| Year | School/Team | Position |
| 1987 | Rensselaer | Offensive Line |
| 1988-89 | Central Michigan | Graduate Assistant |
| 1990-91 | Millersville | Offensive Line |
| 1992-97 | Central Michigan | Offensive Line |
| 1998 | Michigan State | Tight Ends/Special Teams |
| 1999 | Central Michigan | Offensive Line |
| 2000-01 | Eastern Michigan | Def. Line/Special Teams/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2002-04 | Western Michigan | Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2005-09 | Marshall | Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2010-13 | Central Michigan | Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line |
| 2014 | UConn | Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends |
| 2015-Pres. | UConn | Offensive Line/Co-Offensive Coordinator |
| Postseason Games As A Coach | ||
| Year | Game | School/Team Result |
| 1994 | Las Vegas | Central Michigan lost to UNLV, 52-24 |
| 2009 | Little Caesar's | Marshall def. Ohio, 21-17 |
| 2012 | Little Caesar's | Central Michigan def. Western Kentucky, 24-21 |
| 2015 | St. Petersburg | UConn lost to Marshall, 16-10 |
