2011 Toledo Spring Football Prospectus - University of Toledo ...

Head Coach Tim Beckmanday we arrived here two years ago,” said Beckman. “Ourplayers have bought into the plan, done all the right thingson the field and off. Now you are seeing the results.”Inheriting a team that finished 3-9 in 2008, Beckmanled the Rockets to a 5-7 finish in his rookie campaign, aseason that had the excitement of a 54-38 victory overColorado, but the disappointment of losing four-yearstarting quarterback Aaron Opelt to injury.Coming into 2010, Beckman’s squad lost numerouskey senior starters, including NFL players Barry Church(Dallas) and Stephen Williams (Arizona), and lackedexperience in many key areas. Nevertheless, the Rocketssurprised many observers by winning eight games (7-1in Mid-American Conference play), UT’s first winningseason and bowl berth since 2005.The future looks even brighter. Beckman’s last tworecruiting classes were ranked No. 1 in the Mid-AmericanConference by numerous recruiting services. And the2011 Rocket squad returns 18 starters from a year agoand looks primed for another MAC title run.Beckman Becomes a RocketBeckman became the 25th head football coach inUT history in December of 2008 and immediately begantransforming the program. He instilled a new enthusiasmand intensity that inspired players and Rocket fans alike.The Rockets improved by two wins and in most importantstatistical categories over the previous season. But moreimportantly, Beckman laid a solid foundation that putsToledo in the position to be a dominant program in theMid-American Conference for years to come.Beckman’s first task as head coach was tosimultaneously assemble a coaching staff and a recruitingclass. Within days of his hire, he had a core of coachestogether and out on the road in an all-out effort to sign atop-notch group of recruits. Starting with just two verbalcommitments from the fall, Beckman and his staff added16 more recruits to give the Rockets a very respectablerecruiting class of 18 signees. Many of the players fromthat first recruiting class make up the core of the Rockets’current starting lineup.Beckman’s other challenge was to begin to changethe attitude and habits of the current Rockets. He startedby instilling firm expectations for his players, whether inoff-season training, in the class room or in the community.For example, Beckman requires his players to sit in thefirst two rows in their classes. He also requires playersto make personal contact with each of their instructorsoutside of the class room at least once at the beginningof the semester. Beckman also began a program ofcommunity service in which the Rockets are involvedin volunteer activities on Fridays during the off-season.As part of his plan to increase competitiveness andteam-building, Beckman broke his squad up into eight“teams,” making them compete in everything during theoff-season—in the weight room, in the classroom, duringdrills, even during fun social activities. The first-placeteam was rewarded each week, while the eighth-placeteam had to run drills at 4:00 a.m.“It’s constant competition,” said Beckman said ofhis off-season philosophy. “Peer pressure comes into play.Players aren’t happy if they lose because their teammateBeckman is known for his passion for the game and hiscompetitive nature. “We will compete in everything wedo,” he said.