Beckman might be Leaving UT for Illinois

Just a matter of time. Success = Promotion. Althought the MAC has upgraded its visibility via weekday ESPN games and more bowl appearances, it will always remain a stepping stone for good coaches.

"Mike Stoops wouldn't be bad either, but not sure he would take another HC job instead of just DC at a BCS school."

I thought Stoops was joining Urban Meyer at Ohio State, but I guess that was unofficial talk.

Before this season, I assumed Beckman would leave UT after this year. People new that the Rockets would have a good season this fall, and they did. The Rockets have turned their record around during Beckman's three years. After last season, the Northern Illinois head coach left after coaching the Huskies for three yeas and turning their record around to take the head coaching job at Minnesota. When a new head coach at a MAC school quickly improves the program, that coach will probably get offers from bigger schools.

I heard about this shortly after Zook was fired. I wouldn't't be supprised if some of his recruita went with him.

It's official, Beckman took the job. It will be announced tomorrow. Congratulations to him, better conference and more money.

Yup I just heard the same, maybe Tressel will take the UT job hahahahaha

Where does the $400k fall in line with the rest of the MAC salaries? (Just curious as to whether the $750k figure JustaSooner mentioned came from - if it was a number picked at random or if Toledo's salary was under market for the rest of the MAC.)

I do think it is inevitable that most coaches who achieve success at a program like Toledo move on to bigger programs.

What about the guy from Wayne State that Akron is interested in. I think they are still in the D2 playoffs. I would think someone would want to go to Toledo over Akron.

UT is on the high end in the MAC at 400k. Temple is the top one over 500k for their coach. However, the 750K number was comparing it to schools in CUSA and MWC. They are all typically in that range and even small schools like New Mexico are at or above that level. I don't consider UT comparable to the smaller fry in the MAC like the various directional Michigan schools or Kent State. Heck some of those need to be kicked out of the FBS and sent to the FCS.

The higher salary range would be used to get a more high caliber coach, for a Mid Major, to keep the program growing. With BCS changes in 2014 and the likely removal of conference AQs, there will be a higher chance for Mid Major schools to make a run for the high dollar bowls. No reason UT can't be among the likes of Boise and TCU when they started to develop into true BCS worthy teams. If I didn't agree with how strong the MAC has held together compared to every other conference, I would almost hope for them to jump to the Big East as they are school shopping.

Nah. Mike hasn't accepted any job. The one he is apparently most interested in is the DC position at Nebraska. The Stoops and Pelini family go way back, so it is a more natural fit than with Urban at Ohio State. Of course I wouldn't be shocked if ended up back at OU with his brother.

Beckman out. News conference @ 1PM today:

Toledo Blade: UT's Beckman Accepts Head Coaching Job at Illinois

Here is already in Illinois, landed 11 minutes ago. Here is his flight information:

http://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/FSR331

Oops. *He is already in Illinois.

That is a pretty cool web site for flights !

It is truly amazing how many coaches move up from the MAC. Here in NW Ohio we've had the chance to have a lot of great coaches make this their way station!

MAC schools are a good stepping stone for coaches. Wish they could offer more money to keep some of these coaches around a bit longer. I feel sorry for the players and their family members that are attending the UT football banquet. I think its pretty sh*tty coach Beckman left before the banquet. He at least owes his team that since he won't be coaching them in the bowl game. After all their the reason for his success.

" I think its pretty sh*tty coach Beckman left before the banquet."

Beckman has to begin assembling his staff at Illinois. He has to evaluate the current players and begin recruiting. And that has to happen now. He has no time for the past. That's the business.

"After all their the reason for his success."

Here is the UT Rockets football record in the three years before Beckman arrived. Overall record and MAC record in parens:

• 2006 - 5-7 (3-5)
• 2007 - 5-7 (3-5)
• 2008 - 3-9 (2-6)

UT Rockets under Beckman:

• 2009 - 5-7 (3-5)
• 2010 - 8-4 (7-1)
• 2011 - 8-4 (7-1)

The Rockets' nemesis in the MAC the past two seasons has been Northern Illinois. But I think Beckman knows a little something about football.

Looks like OC Matt Campbell is the leading candidate for the perm HC job. Not sure if that actually happens since I think the rumors behind that are more so due to him being named Interim. UT is starting their nationwide search, but not sure it'll get many interested parties. At least quality candidates unless they bump the pay up.

Can Toledo afford to bump up the pay? If the salary is already at the high end of the MAC at $400K, how much higher can we reasonably expect them to go?

The money has to come from somewhere. How much money does the football program bring in from ticket sales and donors?

Good luck to the coach at his new gig.

As much as I liked Tommy Toledo, the program appeared to be undisciplined. Beckman brought it back to where it should be.

They have a revenue around 5.6M for their Football program, that is comparable to Southern Miss of the CUSA. They are the lowest revenue school of CUSA and their coach makes just around $700K.

Of course I really wish that UT would apply to go to CUSA or the Big East. It would improve the overall income to the school and get them more exposure.

$9 million over 5 years.... Christmas came early. CUSA and the Big East don't want Toledo. The MAC is the best conference they'll ever be in.

Beckman should give a kick back to Eric Page, he's the reason he and UT had any success. 5-7 and 8-5, 0-1 in bowl games, poor clock management.... Nothing personal but, I don't know if this was the right hire for Illinois.

Toledo by all rights was really 9-3 this year. They won the Syracuse game but got screwed.

http://www.toledoblade.com/UT/2011/12/12/Campbell-named-UT-s-head-coach.html

Well, that didn't take long. I bet UT was afaid that Beckman would recruit him to come to Illinois, so they had to act fast.

Beckman made a comment at his Illinois press conference that he wanted him there with him. All in all not a horrible choice and probably best this for the university.