Scout.com > Toledo Thank You, Toledo Tom Story URL: http://toledo.scout.com/2/807862.html Brian Nowicki RocketDigest.com Nov 3, 2008 While the last three years have been tough for Rocket fans to swallow, Coach Amstutz is one of the winningest all-time coaches, not just at Toledo but in the entire Mid-American Conference. Toledo Tom has guided Toledo to 2 MAC Titles, 3 Mac Championship game appearances, 4 MAC West Division Titles, and 4 bowl games in 8 seasons as the Rocket head football coach. While the last three years have been tough for Rocket fans to swallow, Coach Amstutz is one of the winningest all-time coaches, not just at Toledo but in the entire Mid-American Conference. Toledo Tom has guided Toledo to two MAC Championships, three Mac Championship game appearances, four MAC West Division Titles, and four bowl games in eight seasons as the Rocket head football coach. No other MAC school has matched that in the last eight seasons. Only Central Michigan has managed as many MAC titles, but has only played in two MAC Championship games and have only played in two bowl games in that span. Coach Amstutz did not just win with Gary Pinkel's recruits either. The 2002 MAC West Division Title and 49-45 loss at Marshall in the MAC Championship game was with Brian Jones at quarterback, a junior college transfer that came to Toledo after Amstutz was hired for the 2001 season. The guy that holds most of the passing records at Toledo, Bruce Gradkowski, was recruited by Tom Amstutz and his staff. He was the quarterback during the 2004 MAC Championship team. And let's not forget Toledo's all-time leading receivers Lance Moore and Steve Odom. Both products of the Tom Amstutz era. Last season Toledo even had two players drafted in the NFL Draft for the first time ever in OL John Greco and RB Jalen Parmele. Again, both recruits from the Amstutz era. Fact is that Coach Amstutz doesn't leave the cupboard bare at all. There are just 9 seniors on this team, and only 4 of them are starters. There will be a lot of talent back next year for the new head coach. Tom is truly "Toledo Tom" as the nickname goes. From his years as a player, to his time as an assistant, and including his eight seasons as head football coach, Tom has given his all to Toledo and he has been a major reason for the success of the Rocket football program over the years since he left Whitmer High School and became a football player at the University of Toledo. I thank you Coach Amstutz for your time and effort you have put into Rocket football over the many years, and I know you will continue to be a positive contributor to the University of Toledo when you move into the Alumni Relations office in January. Thank you Tom! Copyright © Scout.com and RocketDigest.com