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Rockets extend Beckman's contract |
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 TOLEDO, OH – The University of Toledo and head football coach Tim Beckman have agreed to a contract extension that will run through the 2015 season, according to UT Athletic Director Mike O’Brien. Beckman, entering his third season at the helm for the Rockets, is coming off an 8-5 season that included the team’s first bowl appearance in five years, a trip to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit.
“Tim Beckman is not only an outstanding football coach, but he is also a tremendous leader and mentor,” said O’Brien. “He is determined to make the UT football program the finest in the Mid-American Conference, as well as a factor on the national scene. In addition to building a winning football program, he is dedicated to making sure our student-athletes graduate and having them participate in community activities. We are pleased to make this commitment to Coach Beckman and look forward to many more years with him as our head football coach.”
“I’m grateful for the support of President Lloyd Jacobs, Mike O’Brien, and the entire administrative staff,” said Beckman. “I’m extremely honored and excited to be a part of what I feel is the best program in the Mid-American Conference.”
Beckman, 46, was named head coach in December of 2008, inheriting a team that finished 3-9 the previous season. He led the Rockets to a 5-7 finish in his rookie campaign, a season that featured a 54-38 home-field victory over Colorado of the Big 12 before a national TV audience.
Coming into the 2010 season, Beckman’s squad was picked to finish fourth in the MAC’s West Division title by the MAC Newsmedia Association. Nevertheless, the Rockets surprised many observers by winning eight games (7-1 in league play), and securing UT’s first winning season and bowl berth since 2005.
Beckman’s last two recruiting classes were ranked No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference by most recruiting services. New players join a 2011 Rocket squad that returns 17 starters from a year ago and is picked by most observers to be a strong candidate to win the MAC West title this season.
Courtesy of Toledo Athletics
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