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"We are very pleased that Tim Beckman has agreed to become the head football coach at the University of Toledo," said UT Athletic Director Mike OBrien. "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. 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. We are very excited for the future of Rocket football under Tims guidance."

Beckman becomes the 25th head football coach in the 88-year history of Toledo football. He succeeds Tom Amstutz, who resigned at the end of the season following eight years as the Rockets leader.

"I am truly honored to be named the head football coach at the University of Toledo," said Beckman. "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."

Beckman has been the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State for the past two seasons. During that time the Cowboys have posted a 16-9 record, including a 9-3 mark this season.

Oklahoma State has ranked as high as No. 6 in the BCS rankings and No. 7 in the AP poll this season, with all three of its losses coming to teams that were ranked in the top three in the country when they faced OSU (#1 Texas, #2 Texas Tech and #3 Oklahoma). In four of the Cowboys victories this season, Beckmans defense held opponents to 14 points or fewer. In 2007, the Cowboys went 7-6, including a 49-33 win over Indiana in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ.

Beckman, who played his college ball at the University of Findlay, served as the cornerbacks coach at Ohio State under Head Coach Jim Tressel from 2005-06. Prior to that he spent seven seasons as the defensive coordinator/assistant head coach at Bowling Green; two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Elon; and six seasons as the secondary coach/recruiting coordinator at Western Carolina. Beckman has been a part of top-25 teams in each of his last eight seasons.

With Beckman mentoring the Buckeye cornerbacks in 2006, Ohio State ended the year No. 12 nationally in total defense, allowing just 280.5 yards per game. The Buckeyes were fifth in the country in scoring defense, yielding only 12.8 points per game, and Antonio Smith was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nations top defensive back.

Beckman helped coach an Ohio State defense that ranked number-one in the nation against the run and was fifth in total defense in 2005. The Buckeyes finished fourth in both major polls.

At Bowling Green, Beckman was a three-time nominee for the Frank Broyles Award, presented annually to the nations top assistant coach. He was a finalist in 2001 when the Falcons led the Mid-American Conference in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, turnovers gained and scoring margin.

The College Football News named him one of the countrys top defensive coordinators. During his stay at Bowling Green, the Falcons won two bowl games, a MAC division title and finished ranked in the national polls three times.

Beckman began his coaching career in 1988 as a graduate assistant at Auburn, where he earned his masters degree in education. His first full-time coaching job came at Western Carolina, where he coached the secondary and served as recruiting coordinator from 1990-95. He coached two of the top defenses in the Southern Conference during his time with the Catamounts.

Beckman then served as the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Elon College from 1996-97 before moving on to Bowling Green.

Among Beckmans coaching influences is his father, Dave Beckman. The elder Beckman coached on the collegiate level and served as head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League for one season. He also worked for the Cleveland Browns and the San Diego Chargers in the NFL.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Findlay, Beckman majored in physical education and lettered in 1984 and 1985 on Oiler teams that qualified for the NAIA playoffs both seasons. He attended Forest Park High School in Beaumont, TX, for two years before completing high school at Berea (OH) High School near Cleveland.