Tim Beckman Named Head Coach

University of Toledo Athletic Director Mike O'Brien officially announced Tim Beckman as the head football coach of the Rockets at a 1pm news conference today. Read on for more on the new face of Rocket football.

Updated 12/04/2008 11:10pm - Throughout the coaching search many speculated over names like Matt Eberflus (Missouri), Dan McCarney (Florida), and Mark Stoops (Arizona), but no one ever brought up the name Tim Beckman.

Wednesday evening Savage Arena was buzzing as the Rocket men's basketball team knocked off UMASS in the opening game in the newly remodeled arena, but that wasn't the only thing buzzing.

Rumors started to circulate yesterday morning that Toledo was looking at someone previously not mentioned for the job. During the game hints were dropped that a coach would be named soon, and shortly after the basketball game was over, the University had announced that they would be holding a 1pm press conference today to announce the new head football coach.

Then wording starting getting out. Tim Beckman.

Tim Beckman has ties to the state of Ohio and Northwest Ohio. He was the defensive coordinator at Toledo's arch-rival, the Bowling Green Falcons for many years. He left in 2005 to become the cornerbacks coach at Ohio State, and then left there in 2007 to become the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.

Now he's back in the MAC, back in Northwest Ohio, as the head man at Toledo.

UT Athletic Director Mike O'Brien proudly announced Tim Beckman as the next head coach at Toledo just a couple of minutes after 1pm on Thursday, December 4th of 2008. The announcment received a well deserved applause from the crowd of media personnel, Beckman family members, and some die-hard Rocket fans.

"We are very pleased that Tim Beckman has agreed to become the head football coach at the University of Toledo," Mr O'Brien said during the news conference. "He is a man of great character, who we feel will be able to recruit student-athletes who will excel in the class room and bring Rocket football back into national prominence," he added.

Beckman gladly put on the Rocket visor hat Mike O'Brien had for him, and took the podium. "I am truly honored to be named the head football coach at the University of Toledo," Beckman said. "Being from Ohio and having coached in the Mid-American Conference, I have always had a great respect for the tradition and accomplishments of the Toledo football program."

At one point Beckman explained that his offense at Toledo will be that of a multiple pace and multiple personnel. It is expected that he will run a version of the spread offense. He mentioned that he is a defensive guy and that he will have a physical defense. He also said that he hopes to have all of his assistants in place in the next few days and that starting next Monday he will be hitting the road to recruit.

Tim Beckman is 43 years old and has a wife named Kim and three children; Tyler (17), Lindsay (15), and Alex (11).

Welcome to the Toledo family Coach Beckman!