Glad to be back in the MAC

Former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Tim Beckman, named Thursday as Toledo's 25th football coach in front of a packed Sullivan Athletic Complex, is happy for one thing.

He's happy to be back in the MAC.

Not only did the Rockets athletic program get a new coach, they signed a coach that spent seven years as the assistant head coach for Toledo's biggest rival - the BGSU Falcons.

"We very pleased that Tim Beckman has agreed to become the head football coach at The University of Toledo," said UT Athletic Director Mike O'Brien. "Tim is an outstanding coach and an exceptional person. His experience in helping build winning football programs speaks for itself, but it only tells part of the story."

"Throughout this process, everyone had wonderful things to say about Tim," O'Brien added. "He is a man of great character, who we feel will be able to recruit student-athletes who will excel in the classroom and bring Rocket football back into national prominence. We are very excited for the future of Rocket football under Tim's guidance."

The 43-year-old Beckman, who graduated from Berea High School in suburban Cleveland and graduated from the University of Findlay, succeeds Tom Amstutz.

Amstutz stepped away from the Toledo football program after eight years last week.

"I 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."

"I feel this is one of the best, if not the best football programs in the Mid-American Conference, and I am honored that I have been chosen to carry on the tradition here," the new coach added.