SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis has announced the promotion of Demetrius Sumler to defensive coordinator. Sumler has been with the Aztecs since 2016.
“Coach Sumler is a star in this profession, and he is the perfect fit to lead our defense and to continue to elevate our program to new heights,” said Lewis. “He has a great football mind, develops relationships, connects with everyone in the building and has produced undeniable results. I am excited for him to lead our defense!”
Sumler started with SDSU as a graduate assistant in 2016 and was promoted to assistant coach in 2018, where he has since coached the San Diego State cornerbacks. He added pass game coordinator responsibilities to his duties this past January.
Through 12 games this season, the Aztec passing defense leads the Mountain West in yards allowed per attempt (5.1, 1st in FBS), pass efficiency rating (99.06, 3rd in FBS), passing yards allowed per game (157.00, 5th in FBS), completion percentage (53.3, 6th in FBS) and passing touchdowns allowed (11, T-10th in FBS).
Under Sumler’s tutelage, cornerback Chris Johnson was named an All-America selection by six publications this season, including first-team accolades by by Pro Football Focus (Dec. 10), Bleacher Report (Dec. 11) and Sports Info Solutions (Dec. 11), and second-team nods by Pro Football & Sports Network (Dec. 10), Associated Press (Dec. 15) and the Sporting News (Dec. 17).
Johnson completed one of the best regular seasons defensively in program history, registering 49 tackles (36 solo), four interceptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns, nine pass breakups, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. A semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in the country and the Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Johnson is tied for the top-graded cornerback in the country with a 92.0 defensive grade per Pro Football Focus and has the second-highest pass coverage grade (92.4), both with a minimum of just 10 defensive snaps. According to PFF, when targeted against Johnson this year, receivers are 18-for-45 (44.2 pct.) for 185 yards, four interceptions and no touchdowns, for a defensive pass efficiency rating of 56.76.
Bryce Phillips was also an honorable-mention pick this past season, manning the other cornerback position in the 4-2-5 defense.
Sumler also coached Luq Barcoo to second-team Associated Press All-America honors in 2018, one of numerous all-conference selections from the cornerback room under Sumler’s watch since 2018.
The Aztecs finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, including a 6-2 mark in Mountain West play. SDSU tied with Boise State, New Mexico and UNLV atop the league standings, but was left out of a MW Championship appearance because of computer rankings. BS, which San Diego State beat, 17-7, in the regular season, captured the MW Championship with a 38-21 win over UNLV.
The six-win improvement for the Aztecs in regular-season play from last year (3-9) to this season (9-3) matches the largest win increase by SDSU in program history (since 1921), joining a six-win improvement from 1960 (1-6-1) to 1961 (7-2-1).
San Diego State faces No. 25 (CFP) and No. 23 (AP) North Texas (11-2) in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 3:45 p.m. MT (2:45 p.m. PT). The game will be played at University Stadium in Albuquerque, and will air nationally on ESPN and San Diego Sports 760, the home of San Diego State athletics.
SDSU’s Demetrius Sumler Promoted to Defensive Coordinator
Sumler has been with the Aztecs since 2016.
