UT expected to name Beckman as Rockets' new football coach

Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Tim Beckman graduated from the University of Findlay.

The University of Toledo has called a press conference for 1 p.m. Thursday, and The Blade learned late Wednesday night that former Ohio State assistant Tim Beckman, the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, will be introduced as Toledo s 25th head football coach.

Insiders at both UT and in Stillwater, Okla., confirmed that Beckman had been offered the job and was expected to accept.

UT athletic director Mike O Brien would not confirm the hiring when questioned at Wednesday night s UT-Massachusetts men s basketball game at Savage Arena.

When asked if a decision was imminent, O Brien said, Stay tuned.

However, UT booster Chuck Sullivan, who was on the search committee to find a replacement for Tom Amstutz, who held the job for the last eight seasons, said he expected the Rockets would have a new football coach in the next 24 hours.

A native of Berea, Ohio, the 43-year-old Beckman is a familiar name to northwest Ohio football fans from his seven years on the defensive coaching staff at Bowling Green, six as the Falcons coordinator.

He was hired in 1998 by Gary Blackney and also worked under BG coaches Urban Meyer and Gregg Brandon.

Beckman helped the Falcons to the 2003 Mid-American Conference West Division title and victories in two bowl games. In 2001, his Falcon defense led the MAC in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and turnovers.

In 2005, he left BGSU to become the cornerbacks coach at Ohio State. He worked under head coach Jim Tressel for two seasons, helping the Buckeyes to the national championship game at the end of the 2006 season. He then took the defensive coordinator position at Oklahoma State under head coach Mike Gundy.

A University of Findlay graduate, Beckman has been with the No. 14-ranked Cowboys for two seasons. This year Oklahoma State finished with a 9-3 regular-season record, climbing as high as sixth in the polls at midseason.

Beckman also has coaching experience at Western Carolina (1990-95) and Elon College (1996-97).

In addition to Beckman, O Brien is known to have interviewed Missouri defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

With four coaching openings in the Mid-American Conference, Toledo will be the first to fill its position.