O'BRIEN DISCUSSES BECKMAN, FOOTBALL FUTURE

December 9, 2011 - Toledo athletics director Mike O'Brien this afternoon announced that assistant football coach Jason Campbell will assume the position as interim head coach, as Tim Beckman has accepted a position at the University of Illinois.

O'Brien said that he wanted to thank Beckman, who put his heart and soul into the program. He also stated that the search for a new head coach would begin on Monday. There will be a small search committee due to human resources regulations.

Understanding that football is in the midst of recruiting season, O'Brien said that the search would go "as quickly as possible." However, he said, "it is important to get the right fit in terms of being a team player, emphasizing the student in student-athlete, being a great recruiter and producing a winning team."

O'Brien said that the prudent thing to do is to look at the pool of candidates out there instead of going into the search with a specific candidate in mind.

Campbell, 32, said that he expects to have the entire staff intact as the team prepares for the Military Bowl.

Asked whether he wanted to be a candidate for the head coaching position, the Massillon, Ohio native said, "I've dreamed about being a head coach my whole life, but my focus right now is getting the team ready for the bowl game.

Noting that this is a big recruiting weekend for the Rockets, Campbell said, "kids choose a university for many reasons, especially the players they meet on visits. This university sells itself."

Campbell had been UT's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the past three seasons.