Head Coach Tom Amstutz “Toledo Tom” and Rocket Football … · 2015. 9. 10. · During his...

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32 TOLEDO FOOTBALL Outlook Coaches Players Opponents 2006 Review History Records University For more than 30 years now, University of Toledo Football and Tom Amstutz have been inseparable. Born in Toledo, Amstutz has bled Midnight Blue and Gold all his life. As a boy, he went to games at the Glass Bowl. As a young man, he attended UT and played for the Rockets. And for nearly all of his adult life he has toiled on the football sidelines, first as an assistant for two decades and then as the head coach, a position he has held since 2001. “Toledo Tom” is more than just Amstutz’s nickname. It’s who he is. He’s a Glass City icon who has lived the blue-collar work ethic that typifies this industrial Midwest town. He started at the bottom of the UT coaching staff and worked his way up, first as a student assistant and then as an assistant, gradually climbing the coaching ladder before settling into the big chair in 2001. His popularity in Toledo is unrivaled. He has appeared in numerous local TV and radio commercials, been featured on billboards, been the subject of many newspaper and magazine articles and appeared at countless local charitable functions. He even has his own bobblehead doll. But what was once Toledo’s best-kept secret is slowly getting out to the rest of the country. Tremendous success as the UT’s head coach has had something to do with that. Eighteen national TV appearances by the Rockets in the last three years hasn’t hurt, either. But what has made him a growing favorite among the national media is his “Toledo Tom” and Rocket Football Have Been a Perfect Fit For 31 Years disarming and unique personality. Frankly, there is no one quite like him in college football. In the ultra-competitive world of college athletics, Amstutz stands out. Put simply, he likes to have a good time. No one is more passionate about winning than Amstutz, but he also believes in having fun, both on the football field and away from it. He encourages the same attitude among his players and assistant coaches. Head Coach Tom Amstutz Coach Tom Amstutz has a high profile in his hometown. He has appeared in TV commercials, on billboards and on magazine covers. A popular target for autograph seekers, he even has his own bobblehead doll.

Transcript of Head Coach Tom Amstutz “Toledo Tom” and Rocket Football … · 2015. 9. 10. · During his...

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Formorethan30yearsnow,UniversityofToledoFootballandTomAmstutzhavebeeninseparable.BorninToledo,Amstutzhas bled Midnight BlueandGoldallhis life.Asaboy, he went to games attheGlassBowl.Asayoungman, he attended UT andplayedfortheRockets.And

fornearlyallofhisadultlifehehastoiledonthefootball sidelines, first as an assistant for two decadesandthenastheheadcoach,apositionhehasheldsince2001. “ToledoTom”ismorethanjustAmstutz’snickname.It’swhoheis.He’saGlassCityiconwho has lived the blue-collar work ethic thattypifies this industrial Midwest town. He started at the bottom of the UT coachingstaff and worked his way up, first as a student assistant and then asanassistant,graduallyclimbing thecoachingladderbeforesettling intothebigchairin2001. His popularity in Toledo isun r iva led . He has appea redin numerous local TV and radiocommercials, been featured onbillboards,beenthesubjectofmanynewspaperandmagazinearticlesandappearedatcountlesslocalcharitablefunctions. He even has his ownbobbleheaddoll. But what was once Toledo’sbest-keptsecretisslowlygettingoutto the rest of the country.TremendoussuccessastheUT’sheadcoachhashadsomething to do with that. EighteennationalTVappearancesbytheRocketsinthelastthreeyearshasn’thurt,either. Butwhathasmadehimagrowingfavoriteamongthenationalmediaishis

“Toledo Tom” and Rocket Football Have Been a Perfect Fit For 31 Years

disarminganduniquepersonality.Frankly,thereis no one quite like him in college football. Intheultra-competitiveworldofcollegeathletics,Amstutzstandsout.Putsimply,helikestohaveagood time.Noone ismore passionateaboutwinning thanAmstutz, but he also believes inhaving fun, both on the football field and away fromit.Heencouragesthesameattitudeamonghisplayersandassistantcoaches.

Head Coach Tom Amstutz

Coach Tom Amstutz has a high profile in his hometown. He has appeared in TV commercials, on billboards and on magazine covers. A popular target for autograph seekers, he even has his own bobblehead doll.

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Amstutz’s philsophy can be seen in hisinterests away from football. He is an avidfisherman and sportsman (he has been known to grill his latest catch, both fish and fowl, on thepatiooverlookingtheGlassBowlandservelunchtohisassistants).Heisadevotedcollectorof antique fishing lures. He has become aknowledgeablewomen’sbasketballfanwhooftendrivestoIndianatowatchhisyoungestdaughter,Brooke,playbasketballfor2007NAIADivisionIInationalchampionIndianaWesleyan.Hehaseventriedhishandatoilpainting. Allthis,plustheusualrigorsofbeingaheadcoach,makeforabusyandvariedlifeforAmstutz.Hewouldn’thaveitanyotherway. “Beingaheadcoachisaboutmorethanjustcoaching,”saidAmstutz.“Itmeanscoordinatingtheday-to-dayoperationsofeveryaspectofourprogramandlookingoutforthebestinterestsofthe105youngmenonour team. Italsomeansworkingwiththemedia,speakingengagements,workingwithcharities,doingTVcommercials,basicallydoingalotofthingswhereyouareoutinthepubliceye.ButIenjoyit.”

Among the Nation’s Best Amstutz’stenureasheadfootballcoachofthe

UniversityofToledobeganwithabangandhasbeen making noise ever since. In his first season, he led theRockets toaMACchampionship,aMotor City Bowl title and a No. 22 final ranking. Sincethenhisteamshaverattledofffourmorewinningseasonsandthreebowlappearances. AmstutzranksasToledo’sall-timeleaderinwinning percentage (.667), and ranks ninth on the all-timeMid-AmericanConferencelist. During his coaching tenure, he has five wins overTop25teams,includingback-to-backgemsin2004.Healsosportsasparkling34-13recordagainstMACopponents. Amstutz has won four Mid-AmericanConferenceWest Division titles, captured twooutrightleaguecrownsandbroughthisteamtofourbowlgames,includinga45-13victoryoverUTEPinthe2005GMACBowl. ThehallmarkofAmstutz’scareerhasbeenconsistency.Hefolloweduphisamazingrookieseasonwithanevenmoreimprobablesophomorecampaign,guidingtheRocketstoanotherMACWesttitle.The2003seasonsawanotherwinningseason,astheRocketswent8-4andfoughttothefinal whistle of the final game in an effort to claim

Head Coach Tom Amstutz

Amstutz ranks ninth all-time among MAC head coaches with a .667 winning percentage

Tom Amstutz has spent 31 years with the Rockets: four as a player, 21 as an assistant coach and six as the head coach.

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theirthirdstraightcrown.In2004,Amstutzledhisteamtoa9-4markandhissecondMACChampionshiptitle.HealsoaddedwinsoverNo.22NorthernIllinoisandNo.24BowlingGreen,andathirdtriptotheMotorCityBowlgameinfourseasons. In2005,theRocketswent9-3,culminatingwith a thrilling 44-41 double-overtime victoryoverBowlingGreentocloseouttheregularsea-son, and a convincing romp over UTEP in theGMACBowlinMobile,AL.

Dreams Can Come True Amstutz, 51, was born and raised inToledo with dreams of onedaybecomingtheheadcoachoftheRockets. InAmstutz’s case, hisdreams did come true. Buttheyalsocamewithaprice,namely,hardwork.Amstutzpaid his dues, first as a player, thenasagraduateassistant,then finally as an assistant coach,apositionheheldatToledofor21years. Amstutz’sdreamturnedintoareality,ashewasnamedUT’sheadcoachinDecemberof2000.Therest,astheysay,ishistory. It’sasimpletale,butanappropriateoneforAmstutz.He’sa straight-forward,no-nonsense kind of guy. Nopretensions here.What youseeiswhatyouget. That’s just the kind ofmantheylikeinToledo.FromWestToledototheEastSide,fromthecentralcitytothesuburbs,Toledoansallsayprettymuchthesamething:Tomisoneofus. Like thecitywherehewasbornandbred,there’snothingglamorousorfancyaboutAmstutz.Andthatsuitshimjustfine. “Toledoisablue-collar,uniontown,where

youstartat thebottomandworkhard tomakeyourwayuptheladder.SoIthinkthepeoplehereappreciateaguylikeme,”Amstutzsaid. Amstutz’s ascension capped a coachingcareerthatbeganmodestlyasastudentassistantin1977.ExceptforthreeyearsasanassistantatNavyfrom1987-89andatwo-weekstintatMissouriin2000priortobeingnamedUT’sheadcoach,Amstutzhasneverworkedanywhereelse. “Whenyoustayandworkhard,goodthingshappen,”he said. “That’s agood lessonfor theplayerstolookat.IstartedatToledobybringinginthecoffeeandrollingupthemats.Iwasapositioncoach,thenacoordinator,thentheassistantheadcoach. It’s just hardwork and believing in theprogram.That’swhyI’mhere.”

Playing Days in High School and at UT Exceptforthatthree-yearcoachingstintatNavy,AmstutzhaslivedintheToledoareahisentirelife.AmstutzgrewuponScottwoodAvenueonthecity’snorth side, the son of GeorgeandFranAmstutz.HeattendedWhitmerHighSchool,wherehelettered in football, basketballand track. During his highschooldays,healsowasabigfanoftheUTfootballteamsthatwent 35-0 from 1969-71. Even then,Amstutzhadhiseyesonthesidelines. “IrememberwatchingthosegreatToledoteamswithChuckEaley and Mel Long,” saidAmstutz. “And I rememberthinking,Iwanttobethecoachhere some day. I didn’t evenrealizetherewasawholestaff

ofassistantcoaches.IjustknewtherewasacoachandIwantedtodothat.” Amstutz enrolled at UT in 1973 andeventuallyearnedaspotonthefootballteaminhissophomoreyear in1974underHeadCoachJackMurphy.Hestartedsevengamesatoffensiveguardinhisjuniorseason,andletteredagainin

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Head Coach Tom Amstutz

Tom Amstutz shows off the 2004 MAC Championship trophy. Amstutz has won two MAC Championships and at least a share of four division titles in his six seasons as head coach.

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hissenioryear. Amstutzstayedonasastudentassistantforthe1977seasonwhilehecompletedworkonhisbachelor’sdegree in physical education.Thefollowing season, Head CoachChuck Stobart addedAmstutz tohis staff, assigning him to coachthe offensive tackles and tightends.Later,Amstutzmovedtothedefensive line and stayed on thedefensivesideoftheballfortherestofhisdaysasanassistant. AmstutzleftToledoin1987tojoinElliotUzelac’sstaffatNavy.HestayedatNavyforthreeseasons,returning toToledo in1990undernewHeadCoachNickSaban. Amstutz remained on theToledostaffwhenGaryPinkeltookoverasheadcoachin1991.Amstutzwaselevatedtodefensivecoordinatorin1994andassistantheadcoachin1999.

Molding Toledo’s Defense Into One of the Best in the Nation Amstutz’s final season as defensivecoordinator was a memorable one. Under hisleadership,the2000Rockets’defenserankedthird

in the nation in points allowed (11.4 ppg) and total defense (269.0 yds/game), and fifth in rushing defense (81.5 yds/game). The Rockets also were first in the country in turnover ratio (+2.0 turnovers pergame).Theyhadthreeshutouts,andheldtheiropponentsto14pointsorlessseventimes. The performance of Toledo’s defense in2000 was typical underAmstutz.The Rockets’defenseoftenwas rankedasoneof thebest intheMACunderhisguidance.In1999,Amstutz’sdefense ranked No. 2 in the MAC in scoring

defense (20.8 ppg), total defense (346.8) and rushing defense (106.6 ypg). The Rocket ‘D’ also held opponents to 14 points or less on five occasions.

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Head Coach Tom Amstutz

There is nothing Amstutz loves more than talking football. Here he discusses strategy with Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Tony Dungy (above) and has some fun with Terry Bradshaw at the 2005 GMAC Bowl (right).

Amstutz’s teams have played on national television 26 times in his six years as head coach. The Rockets will be on one of the three ESPN stations at least four more times in 2006.

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In1998,Amstutzcoacheda Rocket defense that heldopponentsto17pointsorlessin all but one MAC regular-season game. In eight MACgames,UTheldopponents to12.6 points per game, the best intheleague. DuringAmstutz’s tenureasdefensivecoordinatorfrom1994-2000, Rocket defenderswon first- or second-team All-MAChonors22times. Amstutz engineeredToledo’s switch from a 4-3alignment toa4-4scheme in1995,amovethattransformedtheRocketdefenseintooneofthecountry’sbestatcreatingturnovers.TheRocketshad34takeawaysin 1995, and led the nation in turnover margin(+2.0 per game), a feat they repeated in 2000. Recognized forhis exceptional recruitingabilities,Amstutzhad24yearsofexperienceasanassistantcoachbeforemovingtothebigchair.Inthattime,herecruited25playerswhowentontoearnall-conferencehonors.

Back Home in Toledo Amstutz briefly joined Gary Pinkel’s staff as thedefensivecoordinatorat Missouri after Pinkelassumedtheheadcoachingposition there followingthe 2000 season. ButAmstutz returned to hisalma mater two weekslater to accept the headcoachingposition. Amstutzimmediatelychartedoutanewcoursefor his team. For hiscoachingstaff,hebypassedfamiliar candidates withUTbackgrounds infavorofagroupofveterananddiverse coaches fromaround the country.That

groupquicklycametogethertoformacohesiveandenergeticcorpsthatpaidimmediatedividends. One ofAmstutz’s key decisions wasto replaceToledo’s traditional ground-orientedoffensewithawide-open“spread”passingattack.ThatchangeimmediatelyconvertedtheRocketsinto one of the highest scoring teams in thenation.

2001: Bringing Home the MAC Title Toledoranked13thinthenationintotaloffense and 16th in scoring offense in its first year inaspreadoffensein2001.RunningbackChester

Taylor gained 1,620 yards and earned third-teamAPAll-America honors.Quarterback Tavares Bolden set athen-MAC record for completionpercentage, connecting on 68.7 percentofhispasses. Rocket fans swarmed to theGlassBowlinrecordnumbers, too.Toledo finished No. 1 in the nation in attendance as rankedbypercentageofcapacity,averagingaMACrecord30,014 fans in the 26,248 Glass Bowl. FourtimesUTplayedbeforesell-outcrowds, including a league-record36,852 for the Navy game on Oct. 27. More importantly,Amstutz andtheRocketsbroughtachampionship

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An avid sportsman, Amstutz grabs any opportunity to hunt or fish.

Amstutz’s teams have a 5-2 record against teams ranked in the Top 25.

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backtotheUniversityofToledo.AfterwinningorsharingMACWesttitlesin1997,1998and2000,the Rockets took home the school’s first outright titlesince1995.NationalmediaexposurecameintheformofthreeTVappearancesonESPN,aswellasnumerousarticlesinnationalnewspapersand magazines. Thrilling, come-from-behindvictoriesoverMarshallintheMACChampionshipGame and Cincinnati in the Motor City BowlcementedtheRocketsasoneofthegreatcollegefootballstoriesof2001. TheRocketswererewardedfortheireffortswithrankingsofNo.22intheUSA Today/ESPN coachespollandNo.23intheAssociatedPressmedia poll, Toledo’s highest final rankings since 1971.

2002: An Unexpected Championship WithToledohavingtoreplaceanAll-Americatailback (Taylor), an All-MAC quarterback (Bolden) and seven starters on defense, few gave Amstutz’sRocketsmuchofachancetorepeatasMACWestDivisionchampsin2002.Butthat’sjustwhattheydid,thoughitwasn’teasy. Amid-seasonlosstoMiamileftUTsittinginthirdplacewithfourleaguegamesremaining.Toledowas stuck in theunenviablepositionofneedingtowinallfourgamesinordertoreturn

Head Coach Tom Amstutz

totheMACtitlegame. To make matters worse, starting tailbackWilliam Bratton was lost for the season in theMiami game, forcingAmstutz to play threefreshmanrunningbacksinhisplace. ButsomehowAmstutz’sRocketsgotthejobdone.SeniorquarterbackBrianJones,aJCtransferwhohadseenonlylimiteddutyasaback-upin2001,guidedtheRocketstoconsecutivevictoriesover Central Michigan, Western Michigan,Northern Illinois and Bowling Green. The final twowins in thestreakwere thrillingcomebackvictoriesoverthetwoteamsaheadofUTinthestandings,NIUandBG. Awild49-45losstoMarshallintheMACChampionshipGameandadefeatatthehandsofa powerfulBostonCollege squad in theMotorCity Bowl did not diminish the success of theseason.JonesbrokenumerousschoolandMACpassingrecords,includingthehighestcompletionpercentage in league history (70.2%). The Rockets ranked fifth in the nation in total offense (472.2), 11th in scoring (35.4) and 16th in rushing (214.3).

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Former quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (Tampa Bay) is one of seven Rockets in the NFL who played for the Rock-ets during Amstutz’s six seasons as head coach.

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2003: A Near-Miss at a Third Consecutive Title The 2003 season foundAmstutzandhisstaffonfamiliarground.ForthesecondstraightseasontheRocketswouldbeplayingwithanewquarterback,thistimesophomoreBruceGradkowski.Thetransitionwasalmostseamless,however,withGradkowskileadingtheRocketstoan8-4seasonandverynearlycapturingathirdconsecutiveMACWesttitle. Athrillingseasoncametoaheart-stopping end when the Rockets lost atBowling Green, 31-23, in the regular-season finale. If the Rockets had won the game, they would have hosted theMid-American Conference Champion-shipGameagainstEastDivisionchampMiami. Despite the loss, the 2003 season was filled with highlights, most notably wins over No. 9Pittsburgh and No. 21 Northern Illinois.ThecomebackwinoverPittonSept.20wasthehigh-est-rankedopponenteverdefeatedbyaRocketteam.Toledo’soffenseranked11thinthenation(462.75 yards/game) and featured the nation’s No. 2 quarterback in completion percentage (Grad-kowski, 71.2%) and No. 1 receiver in catches per game (Lance Moore, 8.58).

2004: Another MAC Championship The2004seasonmayrepresentAmstutz’sfinest achievement as a head coach. Preseason favorites to win the MAC crown, the Rocketsstumbledoutofthegatewithan0-2record.LossesatMinnesotaandKansasstungUT’sdefensefor126 points. Amstutz never wavered, however, rallyinghisteamtowinnineoutitsnext10gamestoclaimtheMACChampionship.AndtheRocketsdiditinstyle. The only loss in that string was a 23-16 defeatatMiamithatputtheRocketsinamust-winsituation in their final two regular-season games against a pair of ranked opponents, NorthernIllinoisandBowlingGreen. TheRocketstrailedearlyatNorthernIllinois,10-0,beforecomingbacktodominatetheNo.22

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Huskies on their home field, 31-17. UT outgained Northern in total yards, 512-180, and held theHuskie offense to just 19 yards in the secondhalf. The comeback against Bowling Greenwas even more dramatic. The Falcons held a27-7 halftime edge, but the Rockets came outof the locker room and scored five consecutive touchdownsandwenton to claima49-41winovertheNo.24Falcons,earningashareoftheMACWestDivisiontitleandanothertriptotheMACChampionshipGame. TheMACChampionshipGamegaveAmstutzandtheRocketsachanceforredemptionagainstEastDivisionchampionMiami.Onceagain,theRockets fell behind, trailing the RedHawks athalftime,14-7.ButforthethirdconsecutivegameAmstutzralliedhistroopstoacomebackvictory,35-27,toclaimthesecondMACChampionshiptitle in Amstutz’s first four seasons at UT. The Rockets closed out the season with their thirdMotorCityBowlappearanceinfourseasonsunderAmstutz’stutelage. Toledo’s national profile continued to grow in 2004,aswell.TheRocketsappearedonnationalTVarecordseventimes,andwerefeaturedintheleadstoryinanissueofSports Illustrated.Amstutz’sindividualachievementsdidnotgounrecognized.TheRocketheadcoachwasnamed“OhioCollegeCoachoftheYear”inavotebythe

Amstutz celebrates his first MAC title with future NFL star Ches-ter Taylor following UT’s victory over Marshall in the 2001 MAC Championship Game.

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2005: The Gradkowski Era Ends With a GMAC Bowl Victory As so often has happened inAmstutz’scareerastheRockets’headcoach, his teams fight hardest when theirbacksareagainstthewall.The2005seasonwasnodifferent. Three times Toledo sufferedtrying defeats and three times theRocketsrespondedwithafury.Andin the regular-season finale at Bowl-ingGreen,withitsbacktothewall,Toledopulledoutamemorable44-41 double-overtime victory on thehome field of their arch-rivals. With-out a win at Doyt Perry Stadium,whereToledohadlostthreestraighttimes,theRocketswouldhavebeenwatchingtheGMACBowlfromtheirlivingrooms. ToledomadethetriptoMobile,however,andtheymadeitamemorableone.Afterenjoyingthesight-seeing, theparadesand thegoodtimesoftheAlabamagulfcoast,theRocketstookcareofbusiness,dismantlinga respectedUTEPsquad,45-13. Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski ended hisstoried collegiate career with an exclamation

point, throwing five touchdown passes on his way togameMVPhonors.Gradkowski,asixth-rounddraftchoiceoftheTampaBayBuccaneers,set21schoolrecordsandthreeMACmarks.

Hometown Celebrity/Family Man So much success so quickly has madeAmstutzsomethingofacelebrityinhishometown.Well-wishers often stop to chat with the now

very recognizable coach at the local mall,at restaurants or out inAmstutz’sSylvanianeighborhood.AmstutzalsohasbecomeinveryhighdemandasaguestspeakeronthesportsbanquetcircuitinNorthwestOhio.In2003,AmstutzmayhavereceivedtheultimatenodtohislocalfamewhentheUTAthleticDepartmentunveiledaTomAmstutzbobbleheaddoll,whichimmediatelybecameahotitemintheToledoarea.Inthesummerof 2006, Amstutz’s well-known face could beseenonbillboardsthroughoutNorthwestOhio,aswellasinTVcommercials,pitchingUTseasonfootballtickets.SharinginAmstutz’saccomplishmentsishiswife,Beth,alongwiththeirdaughters,Lauren, 22 and a recent UT graduate, andBrooke,21,asenioronthebasketballteamatIndianaWesleyan.Amstutz’s teams have come back to win 10 times when trailing

at halftime.

The Amstutz family celebrates Lauren’s graduation from UT in May of 2007. From left, Brooke, Tom, Lauren and Beth.

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Years as an Assistant Coach:24 • Toledo - 21 (1977-86, 1990-2000) • Navy - 3 (1987-89)

Assistant Coaching Positions:School Years PositionToledo 1999-2000 Asst. Head Coach / DefensiveCoordinatorToledo 1994-98 DefensiveCoordinatorToledo 1990-93 OutsideLinebackersNavy 1987-89 OutsideLinebackersToledo 1981-86 Defensive EndsToledo 1977-80 Offensive Tackles/ Tightends

Head Coaches Served UnderSchool Years Head Coach Current PositionToledo 1977-81 ChuckStobart RetiredToledo 1982-86 Dan Simrell Head Coach, Univ. of FindlayNavy 1987-89 Elliot Uzelac Head Coach, St. Joseph’s (MI) H.S.Toledo 1990 NickSaban HeadCoach,MiamiDolphinsToledo 1991-2000 GaryPinkel HeadCoach,Univ.ofMissouri

Years as a Head Coach: 6Winning Seasons:5Bowl Appearances: 4 (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005)MAC Championships: 2 (2001, 2004)MAC West Division Titles: 4 (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005)Record: 50-25Home Record: 30-4Away Record:17-19Neutral Record: 3-2MAC Record:34-13Home MAC Record: 20-4

Beth and Tom enjoy a visit to the U.S.S. Alabama in Mobile, AL at the 2005 GMAC Bowl.

University of Toledo (2001-present)Year Overall Pct. MAC (Place) Pct. Bowl2001 10-2 .833 5-2 (1st-Tie/West) .714 Motor City2002 9-5 .643 7-1 (1st-Tie/West) .875 Motor City2003 8-4 .667 6-2 (2nd-Tie/West) .7502004 9-4 .692 7-1 (1st-Tie/West) .875 Motor City2005 9-3 .750 6-2 (1st-Tie/West) .750 GMAC2006 5-7 .417 3-5 (5th/West) .375Career 50-25 .667 34-13 .723

Record as a Head Coach

Amstutz by the NumbersAway MAC Record:14-9Non-Conference Record: 16-12Record When Leading at Halftime:39-4Record When Trailing at Halftime:10-18Record When Tied at Halftime:1-3Record Following a Defeat: 17-8Record Against Top 25 Teams: 5-2Record on National TV: 14-12Record on National TV vs. MAC Teams: 11-6Record in MAC Championship Game:2-1Record in Bowl Games: 2-2

Record as an Assistant Coach

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TimRose’sexperienceasafoot-ball coach is matched only by hisenthusiasm for the game. A veteranof more than 40 years in the coach-ing business, the Rockets’ defensivecoordinator is considered one of themostinnovativemindsincollegefootball.Heneverstopslearninghiscraft,andcontinuestoadaptfreshideastotheever-changinggameofcollegefootball. IntwoseasonsasUT’sdefensivecoordinator,Rosehasbuilt theRocketdefense intooneof thebest in theMAC.The2005 team rankedNo.1 in scoringdefenseandNo.1intotaldefense,whichwasahugeturnaroundfromthepreviousseasoninwhichUTrankedseventhinscoringdefenseandninthintotaldefense.TheRocketswentfromgivingup31.1pointspergamein2004toal-lowingjust21.8in2005.UT’syardagealloweddroppedfrom 417.5 to 316.8, which ranked 21st in the nation. To-ledo’sdefenseoverwhelmedUTEPin the2005GMACBowl,holdingtheMiners’high-scoringoffensetojust13points. AllofthiswasbusinessasusualforRose,whohas20 years of experience as a defen-sivecoordinatoratnineDivisionI-A schools: Miami University (1978-82), Memphis (1992-95), Cincinnati (1995-96), Minnesota (1996-97), Boston College (1997-98), East Carolina (1999-2002), Eastern Michigan (2003), Louisiana Tech (2004) and Toledo. He was also the headcoachatMiamiforsevenyearsfrom1983-89. ThecommondenominatoratallofRose’scoachingstops:adefensethat improves drastically from al-mostthemomenthearrivesoncam-pus. “Timhascoachedoneverylevelofcollegefootballandhasareputa-tionofimprovingthedefensewher-everhegoes,”saidUTHeadCoachTomAmstutz.“Hehasalotofener-gyandradiatesapositivefeelingtotheplayersandothercoaches.He’sa fiery coach who brings a lot to our program.” Rose, 65, served as the head coachatMiamifrom1983-1989and

orchestratedperhaps thebiggestupset in theprogram’shistorywitha21-12victoryoverNo.8 rankedLSUinBaton Rouge during the 1986 season. He also led that 1986 squad to the Mid-American Conference champion-ship,theschool’slasttitleuntil2003,andaberthintheCaliforniaRaisinBowl.His1985teamalsoregisteredanimpressive8-2-1record. ButmorerecentlyitwasRose’sworkasadefensivecoordinatorthatwonhimpraise.Duringthe13seasonsprior to his arrival at UT, five of Rose’s defensive units finished the season ranked in the top 20 in the country in scoringdefense.UnderRose in2004,LouisianaTech’sdefense experienced dramatic improvement from thepreviousseason.TheBulldogsallowed407.8yardspergamein2004,animprovementofmorethan100yardsper contest over 2003 (510.5 ypg). RoseachievedsimilarimprovementinhisoneseasonatEasternMichiganin2003.DespitethefactthatEMUplayedthreeofthenation’stop10offensesandsixofthetop48,Rose’sdefenseimprovedfrom117thinthenationin scoring defense and total defense in 2002, to 76th in totaldefenseand87thinscoringdefensein2003. WhileservingasthedefensivecoordinatorandinsidelinebackerscoachatEastCarolinafrom1999-2002,RosehelpedleadthePiratestothreestraightbowlappearances,

including the 1999 Mobile Bowl,the 2000 Gallery Furniture.comBowlandthe2001GMACBowl. Rose was selected as one offive finalists for the Frank Broyles Awardasthenation’stopassistantcoach in1999, andwasalso cho-sentocoachinthe1994Blue-GrayAll-Star Classic in Montgomery,AL. A native of Cleveland, RosegraduatedfromSt.JosephH.S. in1959andwentontoearnbothhisbachelor’s and master’s degreesfrom Xavier University in Cin-cinnati.HewentontocoachhighschoolfootballinCincinnatiatEl-derHighSchoolandMoellerHighSchool. He entered the collegeranks at Miami as the defensivecoordinatorin1978. Rose and his wife Joyce havethree children, daughter Kristine,andsonsCraigandKurt.Theyalsohave four grandchildren, Charlie(9), Tommy (7), Allesandro (4) and Francesca (1).

Tim RoseDefensive Coordinator

Tim RoseAge: 65 (born 10-14-41)Hometown: Cleveland,OhioAlma Mater: Xavier ‘63Coaching Experience: 2005- Toledo,DefensiveCoordinator 2004 LouisianaTech,DefensiveCoordinator 2003 EasternMichigan,DefensiveCoordinator 1999-2002 EastCarolina,DefensiveCoordinator 1997-98 BostonCollege,DefensiveCoordinator 1996 Minnesota, Defensive Coordinator 1995 Cincinnati,DefensiveCoordinator 1992-94 Memphis,DefensiveCoordinator 1983-1989 Miami (Ohio), Head Coach 1978-82 Miami (Ohio), Defensive Coordinator 1975-77 Boulder (CO) H.S., Head Coach 1967-74 Lorain St. Mary’s (OH) H.S., Head Coach 1964-66 Cincinnati Moeller (OH) H.S., Asst. Coach 1963-64 Cincinnati Elder (OH) H.S., Asst. CoachPlaying Experience: Xavier (1960-63)Recruiting Areas: NorthwestOhio

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JohnShannonisthemastermindbehindToledo’s vaunted spread of-fense. He enters his third season asToledo’s offensive coordinator, andfifth overall at UT. UnderShannon,Toledo’soffensehasconsistentlybeenatornearthetopoftheMACinmostoffensivecategories.In2005,theRocketsrankedfirst in the MAC and 10th in the nation in scoring (35.7 points); first in the MAC and 15th in total offense (447.1 yards/game); and first in the MAC and 13th in rushing offense (216.8). The Rockets scored 40 or more points five times, including 45 in their 45-13 victory over UTEP intheGMACBowl. Shannon also has guided an NFL quarterback inhis time at UT, Bruce Gradkowski of theTampa BayBuccanneers. Gradkowski was named co-MVP of theMid-AmericanConferencein2005andwasselectedinthe sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay. Gradkowski ended his college career with 21 schoolrecordsandthreeMACmarks. Seven Rockets have been named to theAll-MACOffensiveTeaminShannon’stwoseasonsastheOC.In2006, offensive lineman John Greco, running back Jalen Parmele and tight end Chris Hopkins made first-team All-MAC. In 2005, Gradkowski, running backTrinityDawson,GrecoandHopkinsmadetheAll-MACsquad. Priortobeingnamedoffensivecoordinatorin2005,ShannonhadtwoverysuccessfulseasonsastheRock-ets’receiverscoach.In2004,theRocketpassinggameamassedaschool-record298.4passingyardspergame,whichalso rankedeighth in thecountry.UT receiverscaught23.7passespergame,thesecond-mostinschoolhistory,andhad28touchdownreceptions,alsosecondinschoolhistory.

Assistant CoachesAssistant CoachesJohn ShannonOffensive Coordinator

Senior Lance Moore led UT with 90 receptionsandaschool-record14touchdowns.Moorewasnamedfirst-team All-MAC and earned honorable mention All-AmericahonorsfromSportsIllustrated.com. In2003,Rocketreceiversaveraged24.8catchespergameandcaught29touchdownpasses,bothschoolre-cords.Toledoalsoaveraged278.2passingyardspergame,secondinschoolhistoryand19thinthenationthatyear.MooreledthenationandtiedtheMACrecordwith103receptions. Freshman Steve Odom caught 62 passes and cameuponevoteshortofbeingnamedMACFreshmanoftheYear. AnativeofBowlingGreen,KY,Shannonhas29yearsof experience in college coaching, including 19 as anoffensiveordefensivecoordinator.HismostrecentstintpriortoToledowaswithTroyState,wherehewastheoffensivecoordinatorin2001and2002.Hewasalsoof-fensive coordinator at Jackson State (1994-2000), Pacific (1989-91), passing game coordinator at Richmond (1984-88), offensive coordinator at Morehead State (1982-83), and wide receivers coach at Maryland (1992-93). ShannonreceivedtwoprestigiousawardsduringhisstintatJacksonState.In1999,hereceivedtheDivisionI-AAOffensiveCoordinatoroftheYearbytheCollegeFootballAssociationofAmerica.In2000,hereceivedtheI-AAAssistantCoachoftheYearAwardbytheAmericanFootball Coaches Association following a terrific 1999 season. The Tigers finished third in the nation in total offense that season, piling up more than 500 yards ofoffensepergame.TheTigersposteda45-11recordoverShannon’s final five seasons at Jackson State, the best markinDivisionI-AA. A 1976 graduate of Eastern Illinois, Shannon played fourseasonsforthePanthersasadefensivebackfrom1972-75.Hebeganhiscoachingcareerin1977asatightendscoachatWesternKentucky,wherehealsoearnedhismaster’sdegreein1978. Shannonandhiswife,Sally,havethreeadultsons,Justin,BenjaminandColby.

John ShannonAge: 52 (born 8-5-54)Hometown: BowlingGreen,KentuckyAlma Mater: Eastern Illinois ‘76Coaching Experience: 2005- Toledo,OffensiveCoordinator 2003-04 Toledo,Receivers 2001-02 Troy,OffensiveCoordinator 1994-2000 JacksonState,OffensiveCoordinator 1992-93 Maryland,WideReceivers, 1989-91 Pacific, Offensive Coordinator, 1984-88 Richmond,OffensivePassingGameCoordinator 1982-83 Morehead State, Offensive Coordinator/Passing Game Coordinator 1980-81 Wayne State (MI), Secondary/Defensive Coordinator 1978-79 MaryvilleCollege,DefensiveCoordinator 1977 WesternKentucky,TightEndsPlaying Experience: Eastern Illinois (1972-75)Recruiting Areas: SouthwestOhio,Kentucky,CaliforniaJCs,MississippiJCs

Shannon and Bruce Gradkowski confer at the 2004 Motor City Bowl.

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Stanley ClaytonOffensive Line

StanleyClaytonisinhissecond-seasonastheoffensivelinecoach. In his first season at UT, Clayton tutoredjuniorlefttackleJohnGreco,who earned first-teamAll-MAChonorsforthesecondstraightseason.Toledo’srushingoffenserankedfourthin the league, averaging 156.2 yards per contest. ClaytoncametoUTfromPrincetonwherehecoachedthe offensive line for five seasons. He was a 10th-round selectionoftheAtlantaFalconsinthe1988draftandplayedtwo seasons in Atlanta as a guard/tackle before moving to New England in 1990 and 1991. He then finished his career in1992withthePittsburghSteelers. A member of Penn State’s 1986 national championship teamanda1987honorablementionAll-America,Claytonplayedinfourbowlgames:theAloha,Fiesta,OrangeandCitrus.HealsoplayedintheSeniorBowl.Hegraduatedin1988withadegreeinadministrationofjusticewithabusinesslawminor. AfterhisNFLcareer,ClaytonreturnedtoPennStateasanassistantcoachin1995beforemovingtoMassachu-setts for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. He spent two years atAlabamaState,andhehasalsospentthelastsixsum-mersasacoachinginternwithfourdifferentNFLteams,threesummerswiththeChicagoBearsandoneeachwiththeNewYorkGiants,PhiladelphiaEaglesandTennesseeTitans.

Stanley ClaytonAge: 42 (born 1-31-65)Hometown: CherryHill,NewJerseyAlma Mater: Penn State (‘88)Coaching Experience: 2006- Toledo, Offensive Line 2000-05 Princeton, Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator 1998-99 AlabamaState,OffensiveLine 1996-97 UMass, Offensive Line1995 PennState,GraduateAssistantPlaying Experience: Penn State (1984-87); Atlanta-NFL (1988-89), New England-NFL (1990-91), Pittsburgh-NFL (1992)Recruiting Areas: Chicago,northwestIndiana,Philadelphia,NewJersey,NewYork.

Andy BoydOutside Linebackers

FormerRocketfreesafetyAndyBoydisinhisthirdseasonasafull-timememberoftheUTcoachingstaff.Boyd coaches the outside lineback-ers. Under Boyd’s guidance in 2006, senior linebackerMikeAlstonmadefirst-team All-MAC, ranking third in the MAC with 17.0 tackles for loss. In 2005,Alston led the team with 9.5sacks, earned first-team All-MAC honors and was named theDefensiveMVPinToledo’s45-13victoryoverUTEPinthe2005GMACBowl.Toledo’sdefenseoverallrankedNo. 1 in the MAC in both scoring (21.8) and total defense (316.8) in 2005. Priortoassumingafull-timepositionin2005,BoydspenttwoseasonsasagraduateassistantcoachatUT,work-ingwiththedefense.HealsoservedinasimilarcapacityasastudentassistantfortheRocketsin2002. Boydwasafour-yearstarteratUTfrom1998-2001.Hewasateamcaptainonthe2001teamthatwontheMACChampionship and Motor City Bowl. He finished his career with331tacklesand10interceptions.Thebiggestplayofhiscareerwasalsohisverylastasacollegian.Boydbroke

upapotentialgame-ty-ing,fourth-downpassintheendzoneinthe2001MotorCityBowlwithlessthanaminutetoplay. A native of To-ledo, Boyd attendedWhitmerHighSchoolwhere he was a sec-ond-team all-district

quarterback.HewalkedonatUTin1997andearnedascholarshipinthespringof1998.Boydsteppedintothestartingroleatfreesafetyinhisfourth game as a freshman. He had 76 tackles, three inter-ceptions and was named first-team Freshman All-America bytheFootball News.Hisbiggestplaycameintheseasonfinale against Central Michigan when he made an intercep-tion late in the game that set up the game-winning field goalinthevictorythatclinchedtheMACWestDivisiontitlefortheRockets. Asasophomore,Boydplayedmosttheseasonwithshoulderandribinjuries,butstillsawactionin10games,totalling 61 tackles and three interceptions. As a junior, he tied for the team lead in tackles (95) and interceptions (3). He also made a game-saving tackle on the final play of a 31-26 win over Eastern Illinois. As a senior, Boyd had a career-high82tacklesfortheMACchampionRockets. Athree-timeselectionontheMACAcademicHonorRoll,Boydearnedhisbachelor’sdegreeinenvironmentalsciencefromUTin2002,andhismaster’sdegreeinrec-reation&leisurestudiesfromUTin2005. Boydandhiswife,Lori,haveason,Easton,whowasborn in February of 2006.

Andy BoydAge: 28 (born 9-25-78)Hometown: Toledo,OhioAlma Mater: Toledo ‘02Coaching Experience: 2005- Toledo,OutsideLinebackers 2003-04 Toledo,GraduateAssistantPlaying Experience: Toledo (1998-2001)Recruiting Areas: WesternPennsylvania

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Doug DowningRunning Backs/

Recruiting Coordinator

Doug Downing is in his seventhseason with the Rockets as the runningbacks coach and fifth season as recruiting coordinator. DuringhistenurewiththeRockets,DowninghascoachedthreeAll-MACrun-ningbacks,includingChesterTayloroftheMinnesotaVikings. In 2006, the Rockets ranked fourth in the MAC in rushing, averaging 156.2 yards per contest. Junior Jalen Parmele ran for 1,170 yards and earned first-team All-MAC honors. In 2005, the Rockets finished 13th in the nation and first in the MAC in rushing (216.8), the most yards under Downing’s tutelage. Senior Trinity Dawson rushed for 1,294 yards and was named first-team All-MAC. In 2004, the Rockets managed to finish fifth (160.8 yds/game) intheMACinrushingoffensedespiteinjuriestoDawsonandstarterScooterMcDougle.In2003,theRocketsrankedfourthinthe MAC in rushing (184.5) and led the league with a 4.9 yards per rushaverage.Dawsongained999yardsandearnedsecond-teamAll-MAChonors. Downingfacedagreatchallengein2002andturneditintooneofhisgreatestsuccesses.DespitelosingstartingseniortailbackWilliamBrattontoinjurymidwaythroughtheseasonandbeingforced to play three freshman running backs, UT finished 16th in the nation in rushing (214.3). In 2001, Toledo finished 17th in the nation (213.4). Taylor was seventh in the nation in rushing (130.0), was runner-up for MVP in the MAC and earned numerousAll-America honors.Taylor,whowasselectedinthesixthroundofthe2002NFLDraft

byBaltimore,alsoearnedOffensive MVP honorsin Rocket victories intheMACChampionshipGameandtheMotorCityBowl. Prior to coming toToledo, Downing wasrunning backs coach atSouthwestMissouriStatefor two seasons. Beforethat,hespentnineseasonsat Western Illinois from

1990-98, including six seasons as running backs coach (1990-95) and three years as offensive coordinator (1996-98). Under Downing’sguidance,theLeathernecksledtheGatewayConferenceinscoringandtotaloffensein1994and1997,andinrushingin1996 and 1997. WIU reached the Division I-AA playoffs in each of Downing’sthreeseasonsascoordinator,andcapturedleaguetitlesin1997and1998. Downing is a native of Lafayette, IN, where he attendedJeffersonHighSchoolandwasthetop-rankedquarterbackinthecountryasasenior,accordingtoParade Magazine.Downingwasthe starting quarterback at Purdue from 1986-87, earning his degree incommunicationsin1988.HestayedonatPurduefortwoseasonsasagraduateassistant,workingwiththequarterbacksandwidereceiversin1988.Hewastherunningbackscoachin1989. Downing and his wife, Lisa, have two sons, Brian (15) and Adam (12).

Doug DowningAge: 42 (born 6-15-65)Hometown: Lafayette,IndianaAlma Mater: Purdue (‘88)Coaching Experience: 2001- Toledo,RunningBacks 1999-2000 SWMissouriSt.,RunningBacks 1996-98 W. Illinois, Offensive Coordinator 1990-95 W.Illinois,RunningBacks 1989 Purdue,RunningBacks 1988 Purdue,QuarterbacksPlaying Experience: Purdue (1983-87)Recruiting Areas: Michigan,Indiana,CentralFlorida

Assistant CoachesAssistant CoachesChris Hedden

Tight Ends/Running Game Coordinator

ChrisHeddenisinhisseventhseasonas the tight ends coachandsecondastherunninggamecoordi-nator. Hedden’s tightendshavebeena force inToledo’s spread offense.Ineachof the last four seasonsaRocket tight endhasmadeAll-MAC.ChrisHopkinswasnamedsecond-teamAll-MAC in 2005 and first-team in 2006. Hopkins caught 54passesandscoredsevenTDslastyear,andnabbed31passesfor355yardsandfourTDsin2005. In 2004, the Rockets lost preseasonAll-AmericancandidateAndrewClarke to injury,butUT’s tightendshad another fine season just the same. Senior Chris Hol-mescaught35passesandwasnamedsecond-teamAll-MAC. In 2003, Hedden tutored Clarke to a first-team All-MAC season, the first Rocket tight end to earn first-team all-leaguehonorssinceSteveRosiin1995.Clarkecaught35 passes and scored eight touchdowns. He finished his careerwith18TDs,thirdinUThistoryandthemosteverbyaRockettightend.Clarkealsohad37receptionsandsevenTDcatchesasasophomorein2002. In2001,Heddencoachedtwofreshmantightends,ClarkeandHolmes,tohighlysuccessfulseasons.Holmescaught19passesandearnedfourth-teamFreshmanAll-AmericahonorsfromtheSporting News.Clarkecaughteight passes and averaged a team-best 18.1 yards percatch. HeddenisinhissecondstintatUT,havingworkedasa graduate assistant at UT in 1996 under former UT Head CoachGaryPinkel.PriortohisreturntoToledo,HeddenwasanassistantcoachatNorthernIowafrom1997-2000underformerToledoassistantMikeDunbar. Prior to his first post at Toledo, Hedden spent one year at Tiffin University as the offensive line coach. From 1993-94 he was an assistant coach at Tiffin Columbian High School in Tiffin, OH, where he was a 1990 graduate andanall-stateoffensiveguard. Hedden played two years of football atAshlandUniversitybeforegraduatingwithadegreeinsecondaryeducationfromHeidelberg.

Chris HeddenAge: 35 (born 10-21-71)Hometown: Tiffin, OhioAlma Mater: Heidelberg (‘95)Coaching Experience: 2006- Toledo, Tight Ends/Running Game Coordinator 2001-05 Toledo,TightEnds 2000 Northern Iowa, Offensive Coordinator/Academic Coordinator, 1998-99 NorthernIowa,RunningBacks 1997 Northern Iowa, Tight Ends/Offensive Line 1996 Toledo, Graduate assistant 1995 Tiffin, Offensive Line 1993-94 Tiffin Columbian H.S., Assistant CoachPlaying Experience: Ashland (1991-92)Recruiting Areas: NortheastOhio

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Mark RheaDefensive Line

FormerRocketMarkRheaisinhissecondseasonwithhisalmamaterasthedefensivelinecoach. Rhea,afour-yearstarteratdefen-siveendfortheRocketsfrom1988-91,previouslyworkedatIdahoState.During his six-year tenure at IdahoState,Rheacoachedadefensivelinethathadallfourline-menearnAll-BigSkyhonorsfouryearsinarowandalsoproducedDivisionI-AA’stopdefensiveplayer,two-timeAll-AmericanJaredAllen,in2003. Inall,Rhea’splayersearned22all-conferencehon-ors, including eight FirstTeamAll-Big Sky picks, andsevenAcademicAll-BigSkyselections.Additionally,Al-lenreceivedtheBuckBuchananAwardasthenation’stopdefensiveplayerandwasdraftedinthefourthroundbytheNFL’sKansasCityChiefs. PriortohisstintatIdahoState,RheawasonthestaffatAustinPeayStateUniversityandbeforethathecoachedattheU.S.CoastGuardAcademy. Rhea began his coaching career atToledo, servingasanadministrativeassistantandgraduateassistantfrom1992-94.HewasalsoagraduateassistantatMichiganState.Heearnedhisbachelor’sdegreeinathleticadministrationfromToledoin1992,followingastandoutcareerthatsawhimnamedtheteam’soutstandingdefensivelinemanasaseniorandplayapivotalroleontheRockets’1990MACco-championshipteam. RheaandhiswifeStaceyhaveadaughter,Madeline,who was born in April of 2006.

Mark RheaAge: 39 (born 7-7-68)Hometown: Beavercreek,OhioAlma Mater: Toledo (‘92)Coaching Experience: 2006- Toledo, Defensive Line 2000-05 IdahoState,DefensiveLine 1998-99 AustinPeay,Linebackers 1997 AustinPeay,DefensiveLine 1996 U.S. Coast Guard, Defensive Line 1994-95 MichiganState,GraduateAssistant 1993 Toledo,GraduateAssistantPlaying Experience: Toledo (1988-91)Recruiting Areas: SouthwestOhio,northernFlorida,southernGeorgia

Assistant CoachesAssistant CoachesSteve Murray

Strength/Conditioning

Steve Murray has been UT’sstrengthandconditioningcoachsince1997. Murray is responsible for thestrength and conditioning programsfor all 16 varsity sports at UT. His work with the football team has re-sultedinvastimprovementsinstrengthandenduranceacrosstheboard. MurraycametoToledofromtheU.S.MilitaryAcad-emy, where he had served as assistant strength coachsince1994.AtArmy,Murraywasresponsiblefortraining720 student-athletes in 15 varsity sports. He developedstrengthandconditioningprogramsfor12varsity teamsand instituted computerized dietary intake analyses. Healsosupervisedthegraduateassistantsanda25-membercadetstrengthteam. From 1990-94, Murray served as assistant strengthcoachfortheNFL’sWashingtonRedskins,organizingandadministeringconditioningprogramsforallrookiesduringmini-camp.PriortoandduringhistenurewiththeRedskins,MurrayworkedfortheU.S.DepartmentofJustice,whereheservedasthedirectorofstrengthandconditioningprogramsfor 14 federal government fitness centers. Murrayisa1987graduateofPennStateUniversity,wherehemajoredinhealtheducation.In1991,heearneda master of science degree in exercise physiology fromSlippery Rock (PA) University.MurrayismarriedtotheformerPatriciaRothofWood-bridge,VA.Theyare theparentsof four children,Ryan(14), Kyle (13), Kristen (11) and Jordan (10).

Steve MurrayAge: 42 (born 8-23-64)Hometown:Sharpsville,PennsylvaniaAlma Mater: Penn State (’87)Coaching Experience: 1997- Toledo, Strength/Conditioning coach 1994-97 Army, Asst. Strength/Conditioning coach 1990-94 Washington Redskins (NFL), Asst. Strength/ Conditioningcoach,1987-94 U.S.Dept.ofJustice,StrengthandConditioningdirector

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Zach BruneyGraduate Assistant

Zach Bruney is in his firstseasonasagraduateassistantcoachatUT.Hewill primarilyworkwith thequarterbacksandreceivers. Bruney comes to UT fromMountUnionCollege,wherehewas

anassistantcoachthepast twoseasons.In2005,BruneywasthequarterbackscoachasMountUnionwent14-1andwon the NCAA Division III national championship. In 2006, Bruneycoachedthedefensivebacks,helpingMountUniontoa15-0recordandanothernationalchampionship. BruneyearnedfourlettersinfootballatMountUnionfrom 2001-04 as a quarterback. He played for nationalchampionshipteamsin2001and2002,andnationalrun-

ners-up in 2003. He led the nation in passing efficiency in 2003andwasnamedsecond-teamAll-Americain2004.In2004,healsowasnamedsecond-teamCoSIDAAcademicAll-American.Infourseasons,thePurpleRaiderscompileda53-2record. BruneyalsoplayedquarterbackandwidereceiverfortheOhioValleyGreyhoundsoftheUnitedIndoorFootballLeague from 2005-06. BruneygrewupinMartinsFerry,OH,whereheplayedforhisfatherandwasanall-statequarterbackatMartinsFerryHighSchool.Hisfather,Dave,playedlinebackeratOhio University (1969-72) and is still the head coach at Mar-tins Ferry. His uncle, Fred Bruney, played halfback/defensive back at Ohio State (1950-52) and later played 10 years in thepros.HisbrotherTrevorcurrentlyplaysrunningbackatMountUnion.

George Momirovic is in his secondseasonasagraduateassistantcoachatUT.Hewillagainworkastheteam’svideocoordinator. Momirovic came to UT fromMountUnionCollege,wherehewasan

assistantoffensivelinecoachandvideo

Anthony JordanGraduate Assistant

FormerRocketlinebacker An-thony Jordan is in his first season as a graduateassistantcoachatUT.Hewillprimarilyworkwiththesecondary. JordanplayedfortheRocketsfrom 2002-05, earning second-team

All-MAC honors as a senior in 2005.He led the team in tackles as a sophomore (138) and again

as a senior (107). For his career, Jordan totaled 393 tackles, 22.5tacklesforlossandfourinterceptions.Heplayedinthreebowlgames, the2002and2004MotorCityBowlsandthe2005GMACBowl.HealsoplayedononeMACChampionship team (2004) and two MAC West Division champs (2002, 2004). JordangrewupinWhitehall,OH,andmadeDivisionIIIAll-Ohiosecond-teamasasenioratYearlingHighSchool.He graduated from UT in 2006 with a degree in business administration.

coordinatorfortwoseasons.In2005,MountUnionwent14-1andwontheNCAADivisionIIInationalchampionship.In2004,MountUnionwent13-1andwasnationalrunner-up.MomirovicplayedfootballatMountUnionfrom2000-03,andwasatwo-yearstarteratoffensivetackle.Heearnedhisbachelor’sdegreeinsportmanagmentin2004. MomirovicgrewupinEastCanton,OH,andattendedEastCantonHighSchool.Heletteredinfootball,baseballandtrack. He made first-team all-league and first-team all-county infootball.

George MomirovicGraduate Assistant