The Mid-American Conference will have a somewhat changed landscape on the sidelines when the 2012 season rolls around. Toledo head coach Tim Beckman is expected to announce later today that he will fill the coaching vacancy at Illinois.
In addition to Beckman’s departure, Akron coach Rob Ianello was fired earlier this offseason, ending his career with the Zips after winning only two games in as many seasons.
Beckman, who will take over for Illini fan-favorite Ron Zook, will leave the MAC behind after compiling a 21-16 record over three years with the Rockets. He will step into the head position in Champagne following one of the Illini’s most successful, yet stressful seasons of late.
Illinois began the season with six straight wins, but then cruised straight downhill, losing all of their remaining games. Nonetheless, the Illini will face UCLA on Dec. 31 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
It is unapparent whether or not Beckman will coach his new team in the bowl game.
There was a mixed reaction in the Rockets’ locker room this morning when Beckman announced to his team that he would not be sticking around for the Military Bowl against Air Force. Some were quick to praise their former coach, while some disdain was expressed via Twitter.
Offensive coordinator Matt Campbell is a likely candidate to take over for Beckman, both for the Military Bowl and permanently.
Toledo is expected to hold a news conference at 1:00 p.m.
Beckman’s Rockets topped the MAC with over 42 points scored per game this season, good for eighth nationally. They were not as defensively sound, however. Toledo gave up nearly 31 points per game in 2011.
Highlights of his tenure in Toledo include taking his team to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in his second season with the team, in which the Rockets went 8-5. They went 5-7 in his first season.
