Football Alumni to Coach Spring Game

A few months ago UT head football coach Tim Beckman told Rocket Digest that former UT football players would be guest coaches at this year's spring game. Rocket Digest has learned more on just who those coaches will be. Read on to find out who they will be, along with a quick bio on each of them.

A few months ago UT head football coach Tim Beckman told Rocket Digest that former UT football players would be guest coaches at this year's spring game. Rocket Digest has learned more on just who those coaches will be.

"Our 'Guest Coaches' for the spring game will be Lance Moore, Bruce Gradkowski, Wasean Tait, Mike Bell, and Jalen Parmele," said UT Director of High School Relations Andy Boyd. He added, "we will be adding one more at a later date."

As part of his duties as the Director of High School Relations, Mr Boyd works with keeping former Rocket football players active and a part of the Rocket football program.

As for how these guest coaches will be divided up for the game, that has yet to be determined. "These former Rocket greats will be divided up and coach each of the teams for the April 17th game."

Lance Moore played wide receiver at Toledo from 2001-2004. He holds the career record for receptions at Toledo, as well as the single season reception record. He also holds the career receiving touchdowns record, and the career receiving yards record. He plays for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL and led the team in receptions this past season.

Bruce Gradkowski played at Toledo from 2001-2005, redshirting in 2001. He is probably most famous for his heroic efforts in the 2004 MAC Championship Game. Late in the first half he injured his throwing hand, which later turned out to be a fracture that needed surgery. He came out in the 2nd half and led the Rockets to a 35-27 victory of Miami University, despite having the injured throwing hand, while throwing a couple of 2nd half touchdown passes.

Gradkowski was drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and started several games as a rookie.

Wasean Tait played for Toledo from 1993-1998. He set a school single season rushing record as a junior in 1995 with 1,905 yards, on his way to leading Toledo to a 40-37 overtime victory over Nevada in the Las Vegas Bowl. The game was the first overtime game in Division I-A history.

A serious knee injury in the opener in 1996 kept Waseasn out of action until he was able to return in 1998 to play his final year of eligibility. He split time with future Rocket great Chester Taylor that season, making a powerful 1-2 punch at running back for the Rockets.

> Mike Bell played for Toledo from 1975-1978. He was a co-captain during his senior season at Toledo. He spent several years as the Fire Chief in Toledo, and is the Ohio State Fire Marshall. A couple of weeks ago, he officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming city of Toledo mayoral race.

Jalen Parmele played at Toledo from 2004-2007. He rushed for 1,131 yards as a senior in 2007, and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 NFL Draft. After spending time on the Dolphins practice squad early in the season, he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens in September of 2008. He made his NFL debut in the regular season finale against Jacksonville and had two carries for 27 yards.