D.J. Summers begins his ninth year at Campbell in 2021, serving as offensive run game coordinator and running backs coach.
Campbell’s running backs coach since 2013, Summers was elevated to offensive run game coordinator in 2019.
Despite playing a four-game, all-FBS schedule in 2020, the Campbell offense ranked No. 4 in the FCS in total offense, No. 3 in rushing offense, No. 5 in passing offense and No. 1 in third down conversions at season's end.
Summers managed one of the Big South’s top stables of running backs in 2019, with four backs rushing for more than 200 yards on the year, and combining for 13 touchdowns on the ground. Campbell rushed for 200 or more yards six times in 2019, including a season-high 269 yards at North Alabama, with Camels rushing for 100 or more yards six times on the year.
With the help of Summers, Campbell runners produced six individual 100-yard rushing games in 2018. Campbell owned the Big South's second-ranked passing offense, standing No. 2 in pass completions, passing yards and pass touchdowns, as well as third-ranked totals in scoring offense, touchdowns, total offense, rush yards and rush TDs.
Summers again helped lead Campbell to one of the top rushing outputs in the Pioneer Football League in 2017, ranking second at 228.7 yards per game. CU was also one of two squads in the PFL to average more than 33 points per game, while leading the conference in total yards with a school record 436.5 yards per game.
Campbell also set school record for passing touchdowns (21) and passing yards per game (207.8), while hitting the 50 touchdown mark for the second time in the program’s 10 seasons.
Two different Campbell running backs produced 100-plus yard games in 2017, helping the Camels match program records for overall and conference wins in a single season. Joshua Jones posted 111 yards with a TD in Campbell’s season-opening win over Methodist, adding 109 yards in a PFL victory over Morehead State.
Montel Goods also turned in a 100 yard clip against Morehead State, posting 193 yards and three touchdowns on the way to being named FCS National Freshman of the Week by STATS PFL Offensive Player of the Week. Goods’ 193 yards are the third-most in Campbell’s Division I era, and the most ever by a Camel at Barker-Lane Stadium.
Campbell led the PFL in rushing in 2015 with 1,956 yards, led by First Team All-PFL running back De'Shawn Jones. Jones, who enters his senior season in 2016, topped the PFL in rushing with 1,072 yards, adding eight touchdowns. He ran for 100-plus yards four times.
Jones finished his career as Campbell's all-time rushing leader (2,632), adding 641 yards and nine touchdowns, despite an injury shortened season. Jared Joyner was a Second Team All-PFL performer in his absence, rushing for 741 yards and eight scores.
In addition to Jones' All-PFL accolades, senior fullback Dalton Dillon was named all-conference for the third time in 2015, earning second team honors. Dillon posted 137 yards rushing with a touchdown, as well as 21 yards receiving on the year. Dillon became the second Camel to be named First or Second Team All-PFL three times, joining former offensive lineman Sam Issermoyer (2009-11).
In 2014, Dalton Dillon was named First Team All-PFL at fullback, also earning First Team Academic All-PFL status.
Summers guided the Camels to their second consecutive 2,000-plus yard rushing season, paced by De'Shawn Jones and Keith Goss' combined 771 yards on the ground.
In his first season in Buies Creek, Summers guided senior Kurt Odom to an All-America selection, Campbell’s first in program history, earning Third Team honors from the Sports Network. Odom was also named First Team All-PFL.
The Camels set 21 offensive team records in 2013, including rushing yards (2,800) and total offense (5,236).
The then freshman duo of Keith Goss and De'Shawn Jones, meanwhile, combined for 980 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Summers coached at his alma mater, Catawba College, for 11 seasons before making the move to Campbell, guiding the Indians’ wide receivers. Summers duties also included coordinating the passing game and recruiting, as well as being the pro liaison.
In 2008, Summers tutored single-season rushing record breaker Jamelle Cuthberston. In 2007, he coached two All-SAC running backs in Kory Fisher and George Bell. His group of backs broke the school record for rushing yards in a single season with 2,616 yards and 41 TD’s.
Prior to his return to Catawba, Summers coached wide outs at West Iredell High School. He began his coaching career at Polk County High School in 1997. He coached the receivers and defensive backs at Polk County from 1997-01 and also served as basketball coach.
Summers was a four-year performer at Catawba, earning All-SAC honors in 1995 and 1996. During his four years, Summers totaled 68 receptions for 1,284 yards and caught 15 touchdown passes. He stands 17th among Catawba’s all-time receiving leaders and is second in career yards per catch at 18.9 per reception. He graduated in 1997 with a degree in physical education.
In high school, at West Iredell, Summers started all four seasons and earned a spot in the East-West All-Star Game. As a wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back, he was a two-time all-conference performer and was team MVP as a senior.
