Tim Beckman - Head Coach
Tim Beckman likes to tell people he has 44 years of coaching experience. That’s just his way of saying he was born to coach. Beckman, who turned 44 last January, is a coach’s son who has never known anything but football as a way of life. His father, Dave Beckman, coached on the high school, collegiate and professional levels for years, exposing his son to all aspects of coaching, not to mention some great coaches. The younger Beckman never seriously considered any other profession.
“I tell recruits that I’ve got 44 years of coaching experience because I’ve been around football and football coaches all my life,” said Beckman. “I was born with a football. My dad coached high school ball and up to college ball and the pros, so I’ve had a chance to see it all.”
Beckman played college football at the University of Findlay under Dick Strahm, then began his climb up the coaching ladder with a graduate assistant’s position under Pat Dye at Auburn in 1988. Most recently, Beckman concluded a two-year stint as the defensive coordinator under Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. Along the way, he also worked with Urban Meyer at Bowling Green and Jim Tressel at Ohio State.
“I’m blessed that I’ve been able to be around football for 44 years and learn from coaches like these,” said Beckman. “I just love football. I love being around it. It’s an important part of my life.”
Beckman Becomes a Rocket
Beckman was introduced at the 25th head football coach in UT history last December. He succeeds Tom Amstutz, who stepped down at the end of the 2008 season following eight years as the Rockets’ leader.
“Tim is an outstanding coach and an exceptional person,” said UT Athletic Director Mike O’Brien. “His experience in helping build winning football programs speaks for itself, but it only tells part of the story. He is a man of great character, who we feel will be able to recruit student-athletes who will excel in the classroom and bring Rocket Football back into national prominence. We are very excited for the future of Rocket football under Tim’s guidance.”
Beckman, likewise, is happy to be returning to the Buckeye State.
“Being from Ohio and having coached in the Mid-American Conference, I have always had a great respect for the tradition and accomplishments of the Toledo football program,” he said. “I feel this is one of the best, if not the best football program in the Mid-American Conference, and I am honored that I have been chosen to carry on the tradition here.”
Competitiveness!
Beckman’s first task as head coach was to simultaneously assemble a coaching staff and a recruiting class. Within days of his hire, he had a core of coaches together and out on the road in an all-out effort to sign a top-notch group of recruits. Starting with just two verbal commitments from the fall, Beckman and his staff added 16 more recruits to give the Rockets a very respectable recruiting class of 18 signees. In addition to seven players from Ohio, the Rocket staff used their wide-spread connections to nab recruits from eight other states, including seven players from six southern states.
Beckman’s other challenge was to begin to change the attitude and habits of the current Rockets. He started by instilling firm expectations for his players, whether in off-season training, in the class room or in the community. For example, Beckman requires his players to sit in the first two rows in their classes. He also requires players to make personal contact with each of their instructors outside of the class room at least once at the beginning of the semester. Beckman also began a program of community service in which the Rockets are involved in volunteer activities on Fridays during the off-season.
As part of his plan to increase competitiveness and team-building, Beckman broke his squad up into eight “teams,” making them compete in everything during the off-season—in the weight room, in the classroom, during drills, even during fun social activities. The first-place team was rewarded each week, while the eighth-place team had to run drills at 4:00 a.m.
“It’s constant competition,” said Beckman said of his off-season philosophy. “Peer pressure comes into play. Players aren’t happy if they lose because their teammate was late for class.”
21 Years of Experience as an Assistant
Beckman has had 21 years of experience as an assistant coach, mostly with winning teams. He has been a part of teams that made the top 25 in each of his last seven seasons as an assistant. Prior to accepting the head position at Toledo, Beckman served as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State (2007-08); the cornerbacks coach at Ohio State (2005-06); the defensive coordinator/assistant head coach at Bowling Green (1998-2004); the defensive coordinator at Elon (1996-97); the secondary coach/recruiting coordinator at Western Carolina (1990-95); and as a graduate assistant at Auburn (1988-89).
Beckman’s two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State were highly successful considering the ultra-competitive nature of the Big 12. During Beckman’s time in Stillwater, the Cowboys posted a 16-10 record, including a 9-4 mark in 2008. Oklahoma State ranked as high as No. 6 in the BCS rankings and No. 7 in the AP poll last season, with three of its losses coming to teams that were ranked in the top three in the country when they faced OSU (#1 Texas, #2 Texas Tech and #3 Oklahoma). In four of the Cowboys’ victories, Beckman’s defense held opponents to 14 points or fewer. In 2007, the Cowboys went 7-6, including a 49-33 win over Indiana in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ.
At Ohio State, Beckman mentored the Buckeye cornerbacks. In 2006, Ohio State ended the year No. 12 nationally in total defense, allowing just 280.5 yards per game. The Buckeyes were fifth in the country in scoring defense, yielding only 12.8 points per game, and Antonio Smith was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back.
In 2005, Beckman helped coach an Ohio State defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation against the run and fifth in total defense. The Buckeyes finished fourth in both major polls. During his stay at Ohio State, the Buckeyes were 22-3 with appearances in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl and the 2007 BCS Championship game. Along the way he coached six All-Big Ten defensive backs. His final game as a coach with Ohio State was the 2007 BCS National Championship Game vs. Florida, where Beckman faced his former boss from his days at Bowling Green, Urban Meyer.
At Bowling Green, Beckman was a three-time nominee for the Frank Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top assistant coach. He was a finalist in 2001 when the Falcons led the Mid-American Conference in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, turnovers gained and scoring margin. The College Football News named him one of the country’s top defensive coordinators. During his stay at Bowling Green, the Falcons won two bowl games, a MAC division title and finished ranked in the national polls three times.
Playing Days and Coaching Origins
Beckman began his coaching career in 1988 as a graduate assistant at Auburn, where he earned his master’s degree in education. His first full-time coaching job came at Western Carolina, where he coached the secondary and served as recruiting coordinator from 1990-95. He coached two of the top defenses in the Southern Conference during his time with the Catamounts. Beckman then served as the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Elon College from 1996-97 before moving on to Bowling Green.
Beckman started his college playing career at Kentucky but transferred to Findlay and excelled under head coach Dick Strahm. A 1988 graduate of Findlay, Beckman majored in physical education and lettered in 1984 and 1985 on Oiler teams that qualified for the NAIA playoffs both seasons. He attended Forest Park High School in Beaumont, TX, for two years before completing high school at Berea (OH) High School near Cleveland.
Beckman is a native of Berea. He and his wife Kim have three children: Tyler (18), Lindsay (16), and Alex (12). Tyler will be attending the University of Findlay this fall on a football scholarship.
Record as an Assistant Coach
| Year | School | Position | Record / Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Oklahoma State | Defensive Coordinator | 9-4 / No. 6 BCS ranking |
| 2007 | Oklahoma State | Defensive Coordinator | 7-6 / Insight Bowl |
| 2006 | Ohio State | Cornerbacks | 12-1 / BCS Championship Game |
| 2005 | Ohio State | Cornerbacks | 10-2 / Fiesta Bowl |
| 2004 | Bowling Green | Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach | 9-3 / GMAC Bowl |
| 2003 | Bowling Green | Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach | 11-3 / Motor City Bowl |
| 2002 | Bowling Green | Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach | 9-3 |
| 2001 | Bowling Green | Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach | 8-3 |
| 2000 | Bowling Green | Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach | 2-9 |
| 1999 | Bowling Green | Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach | 5-6 |
| 1998 | Bowling Green | Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach | 5-6 |
| 1997 | Elon | Defensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator | 7-4 |
| 1996 | Elon | Defensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator | 4-7 |
| 1995 | Western Carolina | Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator | 3-7 |
| 1994 | Western Carolina | Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator | 6-5 |
| 1993 | Western Carolina | Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator | 6-5 |
| 1992 | Western Carolina | Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator | 7-4 |
| 1991 | Western Carolina | Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator | 2-9 |
| 1990 | Western Carolina | Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator | 3-8 |
| 1989 | Auburn | Graduate Assistant | 10-2 |
| 1988 | Auburn | Graduate Assistant | 10-2 |
Bowl Games Participated in as a Coach
2007 Insight Bowl
2006 BCS National Championship Game
2005 Fiesta Bowl
2004 GMAC Bowl
2003 Motor City Bowl
1989 Hall of Fame
1988 Sugar Bowl
NFL Players Coached by Tim Beckman
Tyler Everett, Ohio State (Dallas Cowboys)
Brandon Mitchell, Ohio State (Houston Texans)
Nate Salley, Ohio State (Carolina Panthers)
Donte Whitner, Ohio State (Buffalo Bills)
Donovan Woods, Oklahoma State (Pittsburgh)
Ashton Youboty, Ohio State (Buffalo Bills)
College Football Playing Career
University of Kentucky, 1983
University of Findlay, 1984-87
Education
Bachelor’s degree in physical education, University of Findlay, 1988
Master’s degree in education, Auburn University, 1994
Personal Information
Date of Birth: Jan. 19, 1965
Hometown: Berea, OH
Family: Wife: Kim; Children: Tyler (18), Lindsay (16) and Alex (12).
What Others Are Saying About Tim Beckman
“We’re excited for Tim and his family. We’re happy that he has the opportunity to fulfill his dream and become a head coach. We are grateful for everything he did for Oklahoma State University, and we wish him success at Toledo.” - Mike Gundy, Head Coach, Oklahoma State University
“Tim has prepared himself throughout his career to become a head football coach. He worked hard as a position coach to prepare himself to teach players to be fundamentally sound and to motivate them to play hard at all times. He was also a very good recruiter. As a coordinator, he was able to gain experience as an administrator and managed coaches, staff and players. I expect that Tim’s success will continue as a head football coach and look for him to have to much success at the University of Toledo.” - Urban Meyer, Head Coach, University of Florida
“Tim will bring great passion and energy to Toledo’s football program, the University and the community. It is awesome to have Tim and Kim Beckman, along with their lovely family, back in the Buckeye State!” - Jim Tressel, Head Coach, Ohio State University
“Tim is an outstanding coach and an exceptional person. His experience in helping build winning football programs speaks for itself, but it only tells part of the story. Throughout our selection process, everyone had wonderful things to say about Tim. He is a man of great character, who we feel will be able to recruit student-athletes who will excel in the classroom and bring Rocket Football back into national prominence. We are very excited for the future of Rocket football under Tim’s guidance.” - Mike O’Brien, UT Athletic Director
“Coach Beckman is a fiery coach who wants the best out of his players. He’s coached in the biggest games. He’s been everywhere and he’s been with some great coaches. He’s a great motivator who is always finding ways to keep us competing against each other. The players adapted to him pretty quickly. He’s spent a lot of time with the players and built a close relationship with us. I am really impressed with him.” - Quarterback Aaron Opelt
“The energy and enthusiasm of Coach Beckman and the coaching staff is contagious. That helped the players buy into it. And with everything being a competition, that helps make it fun. We compete for everything.” -Safety Lester Richmond
“He is going to bring a lot of energy to our games and our practices. When we first met him, he took off his jacket and said that he’s not a suit kind of guy. Then he took off his tie and threw it to the side. He just got to screaming at us about how we need to have a lot of energy for this team and that we are going to compete for a MAC Championship this year. I think he’s going to be a cool coach.” - Safety Barry Church
“He has me fired up. I am ready to play right now. He came in preaching about discipline, family, being in school, getting your books straight. He came in confident. From his first word, he had me ready. I am excited to play under him.” - Wide Receiver Stephen Williams
Mike Ward - Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Run Coordinator
Mike Ward will serve as the Rockets’ assistant head coach and defensive run coordinator. He comes to UT with 17 years of experience at Bowling Green. He began as the program’s strength coach from 1992-99 before coaching the defensive linemen from 2000-06. Ward spent his last two seasons at BGSU as the defensive coordinator. Since the 2000 season, Ward has coached one All-American, one Academic All-American and nine All-MAC performers.
"Mike Ward is a great football coach and a great people-person who will bring so much to the Toledo community," said Beckman. "He has been in Northwest Ohio for many years and he brings a great attitude and knowledge of this region. He will be a tremendous asset to our program."
Prior to becoming a Falcon, Ward was an assistant football coach and strength coach at his alma mater, Georgetown College, for two years. Ward earned a degree in health and physical education from Georgetown College in 1984. He also earned a graduate degree in secondary education from Georgetown.
After completing his education at Georgetown, Ward became an assistant football coach at the University of Findlay for six years. He served as the defensive line coach and the strength and conditioning coordinator for the Oilers before leaving to join BGSU in 1992.
A Mansfield, OH native, Ward attended Mansfield Lexington High School. At Findlay, he earned second-team NAIA Division I All-America football honors as an offensive guard in 1983. He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He was twice named as the NSCA Professional of the Year by his colleagues in the MAC.
Ward and his wife, Jody, have two children, Michaela and Addison.
Mike Ward’s Coaching History
2009 Toledo - Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Run Coordinator
2007-08 Bowling Green - Defensive Coordinator
2000-06 Bowling Green - Defensive Line
1992-99 Bowling Green - Strength and Conditioning Coach
1986-91 Findlay - Defensive Line/Strength and Conditioning
1984-85 Georgetown - Assistant Coach/Strength and Conditioning Coach
Matt Campbell - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
Matt Campbell is in his first seasons as the Rockets’ offensive coordinator/offensive line coach.
Campbell served as an assistant coach at Bowling Green for the past three seasons, two as the offensive line coach (2006-07) and last year as the offensive line coach/running game coordinator. The Falcons participated in the GMAC Bowl in the 2007 season.
"Matt Campbell is a coach’s son who has grown up around football all his life," said Beckman. "In my opinion, he’s the best recruiter in the Mid-American Conference. But his knowledge of the offensive schemes we want to run here was the first reason I offered him the position."
Before joining the Falcon staff, Campbell spent two years as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Mount Union. Campbell began his career as the offensive graduate assistant for Bowling Green in 2003 and 2004, earning his master’s degree in education administration at BGSU. He worked with the tight ends for two nationally ranked teams that won the 2003 Motor City Bowl and 2004 GMAC Bowl.
Campbell, a 2002 graduate of Mount Union, was a member of five national championship teams as a coach and player for the Purple Raiders. He was a two-time first-team All-American and was voted as the Ohio Athletic Conference’s Best Defensive Lineman in 2001 and 2002. He was a vital member of three MUC teams which won national titles (2000, 2001 and 2002). During his career at Mount Union, he had 207 tackles, 49 for a loss and 22 sacks. Campbell also excelled in the classroom, earning CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. In his final two years of his stay at Mount Union, Campbell coached the offensive line of a team that won back-to-back national titles.
Matt Campbell’s Coaching History
2009 Toledo - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
2008 Bowling Green - Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator
2006-07 Bowling Green Offensive Line
2004-05 Mount Union Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2003-04 Bowling Green Graduate Assistant
Paul Nichols - Defensive Pass Coordinator/Safeties Coach
Paul Nichols is in his first season as the Rockets’ Defensive Pass Coordinator/Safeties coach. Nichols served as an assistant at Marshall University for the last three seasons. Nichols also served as a graduate assistant at Ohio State from 2004-05.
“Paul Nichols is a young, ambitious coach with tremendous knowledge of the types of defensive schemes we will be using here,” said Beckman. “He has a great background and experience with winning programs. He will be a great addition to our staff.”
At Marshall, Nichols coached All–Conference USA safety Curtis Keyes (2006) and All-Freshman cornerback Zearrick Matthews (2006). He also tutored DeQuan Bembry, a Conference USA All-Freshman and Freshman All–America selection, at cornerback (2008).
Prior to his tenure at Marshall, Nichols completed two seasons as a graduate assistant at Ohio State from 2004-05 where he assisted with the defensive backs and defensive line. He worked in the 2004 Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma State and the 2006 Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame.
A native of Dunwoody, GA, Nichols graduated from Davidson College with a BA in political science and a BA in history in 2003. While at Davidson, Nichols set school records for career passing yards (5,822), completions (465) and touchdown passes (51), and compiled a 22–6 record as a starting quarterback, which stands as the best mark in program history. As a sophomore in 2000, Nichols led the Wildcat squad to a perfect 10–0 record, marking the school's first undefeated season in history.
Nichols was first-team All-Pioneer League and first-team Pioneer League All-Academic selection as a senior, and was named honorable mention All-America by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. In his senior season, he ranked among the top 25 in the nation in both passing efficiency rating (136.49) and yards passing per game (218.9).
Nichols is married to the former Lauran Lightmas of Atlanta, GA, a 2004 Davidson College graduate.
Paul Nichols’ Coaching History
2009 Toledo - Defensive Pass Coordinator / Safeties Coach
2007-08 Marshall - Cornerbacks
2006 Marshall - Secondary
2004-05 Ohio State - Graduate Assistant
Scott "Izzy" Isphording - Quarterbacks Coach
Scott "Izzy" Isphording joins the Rockets' staff as the quarterbacks coach after spending last season as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Ohio University. This past season, Isphording helped guide Ohio to a 9-5 record, a MAC East Division Championship and a berth in the Motor City Bowl. Isphording also has had assistant coaching stints at Eastern Michigan, Wittenberg, Colorado School of Mines and Fort Hays State.
"I recruited and coached against Izzy when he was at Eastern Michigan," said Beckman. "He has coordinator experience and is a great recruiter. He will be a great asset to our quarterbacks."
Isphording coached at Eastern Michigan from 2004-08, and was the offensive coordinator in his final two seasons there. In 2008, he led the Eagles to a school-record 5,010 total yards and topped the league in red-zone efficiency (88.7 pct.), red-zone touchdown efficiency (73.6 pct.) and time of possession (32:48). The Eagles also set single-game school records in total offense (637 vs. Indiana State), rushing yards (413 vs. Indiana State) and passing yards (516 vs. Central Michigan). Isphording mentored EMU quarterback Andy Schmitt, who set NCAA single-game records with 58 completions and 76 pass attempts without an interception vs. Temple. The following week Schmitt completed 58-of-80 passes in a 56-52 win over CMU. Schmitt earned Walter Camp Foundation National Player of the Week honors for his effort, the first-ever EMU player to claim the honor.
In 2007, Isphording directed an EMU offense that averaged 24.2 points and 337.5 yards per game. Under his tutelage, Schmitt ranked 51st in the national in pass efficiency at 130.86. The year before, Isphording oversaw a quarterback corps which averaged 276.2 yards a game. Individually, he saw Schmitt average 182.6 yards per game.
During the 2004 season, EMU piled up the yardage using the spread offense, finishing 21st in the nation in total offense, rolling up an average of 427.91 yards per game. The Eagles were also 33rd in the Division I-A ranks in scoring offense at 29.82 points a game. Under his direction, quarterback Matt Bohnet ranked sixth in the nation in total offense (293.7).
Prior to his post at EMU, Isphording served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wittenberg from 1998-2003. While at Wittenberg, Isphording also served as the head men's golf coach in 2002 and 2003 and was an assistant baseball coach from 1998-02. As the offensive coordinator, he helped Wittenberg win four North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championships while recording a 63-9 win-loss record. The football team made five appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs, making it to the regional finals three times and the regional semifinals twice. From 2001-2003, he also served as the assistant head coach. His 2002 and 2003 teams were ranked nationally in the NCAA Division III statistical report.
Prior to his Wittenberg coaching stint, Isphording was the quarterbacks and receivers coach at Colorado School of Mines (1996-98), and was the quarterbacks coach at Fort Hays State University (1994-96).
A four-year letterwinner as a quarterback at Hanover College, Isphording helped the offense rank third in the NCAA Division III ranks in 1992. During that '92 season, Isphording recorded 3,098 yards in passing offense, which was the sixth-best effort in Division III history.
A native of Cincinnati, OH, Isphording graduated from LaSalle High School in 1990 and went on to complete his bachelor's degree at Hanover College in 1994. He earned a master's degree in physical education at Fort Hays State in 1996. Isphording and his wife, Shelly, have one daughter, Erika.
Scott Isphording's Coaching History
Years School/Team Position
2010 Toledo Quarterbacks
2009 Ohio Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
2008 Eastern Michigan Offensive Coordinator
2007 Eastern Michigan Offensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
2004-06 Eastern Michigan Quarterbacks/Recruiting Coordinator
2001-04 Wittenberg Assistant Head Coach
1998-03 Wittenberg Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
1996-97 Colorado School of Mines Quarterbacks/Receivers
1994-95 Fort Hays State Quarterbacks
Jason Candle - Slot Receivers / Tight Ends Coach
Jason Candle joins the Rockets’ staff as the slotreceivers/tight ends coach after spending both his playing and coaching career with head coach Larry Kehres at Mount Union College. In Candle’s six years as an assistant at Mount Union, the Purple Raiders went 83-4 and won NCAA Division III national championships in 2005, 2006 and 2008. The 2003 and 2007 teams lost in the national championship game.
"Jason Candle has been involved in five national championship teams as a player and as a coach. He knows what it takes to win," said Beckman. "We want to surround ourselves with winners, and Jason is a winner."
A 2003 Mount Union graduate, Candle was an All-Ohio Athletic Conference first-team selection in 2001 as he led the team in receptions (41), yards receiving (778) and touchdowns (9). He was a key member of the 2000 and 2001 national championship teams and finished his career with 57 grabs for 1,037 yards and 11 scores.
Candle began his coaching career at Mount Union in 2003 as the receivers coach. In the 2004 and 2005 seasons, he worked with current Rocket assistant Matt Campbell, who was the Purple Raiders offensive coordinator at the time. Candle took over the post of offensive coordinator in 2007, and also assumed the duties as the program’s recruiting coordinator.
In Candle’s two seasons as offensive coordinator, the Purple Raiders went 29-1, winning the national championship in 2008 and finishing runners-up in 2007. Mount Union players on the offensive side of the ball earned nine All-American honors in Candle’s two seasons running the offense. Quarterback Greg Micheli was honored this past season with the Gagliardi Trophy, given annually to the best player in the nation at the NCAA Division III level. Candle also helped guide two Purple Raider receivers to All-American status during his time as the receivers coach from 2003-06. One of those All-American receivers, Pierre Garcon, was a fifth-round NFL draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts.
Jason Candle’s Coaching History
2009 Toledo - Slot Receivers/Tight Ends
2007-08 Mount Union - Offensive Coordinator
2003-06 Mount Union - Receivers
Steven Clinkscale - Cornerbacks
Steven Clinkscale comes to Toledo with eight years of college coaching experience, including seven seasons at Ashland and this past year at Western Carolina. Clinkscale will coach the cornerbacks in 2009.
"Steve brings an Ohio background and great work ethic to the program," said Beckman. "He’s a great mentor of young men, a fundamentally sound teacher who gets everything out of his players. We’re excited that he has chosen to be a Rocket."
A native of Youngstown, OH, Clinkscale played four seasons at Ashland before moving to the sidelines as an assistant coach. During his seven seasons at Ashland, Clinkscale served mostly as a defensive secondary coach, spending his final season as the linebackers coach. As the academic liaison, AU football players routinely posted combined grade point averages of 3.0 or better.
Clinkscale mentored eight student-athletes who earned All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) accolades, including two Cactus Bowl (NCAA Division II All-Star game) participants and one GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year (Devin Conwell, 2005).
This past season at Western Carolina, Clinkscale worked with the Catamount defensive backs in addition to serving as Western’s academic liaison.
A former defensive back at Ashland, Clinkscale was a four-year starter and a team captain. He garnered All-GLIAC honors in 1999 and honorable mention honors in 1998. He also played in the 2000 Snow Bowl, the Division II all-star game. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports science, with a concentration in therapeutic recreation in 2000.
His coaching experience began in 2000 when he returned to his hometown and volunteered at Youngstown Chaney High School, working mostly with the running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs.
Clinkscale and his wife, Jasena, have four sons: Isaiah (5) and Elijah (3), and twins Zion and Zivon (2).
Steven Clinkscale’s Coaching History
2009 Toledo - Cornerbacks
2008 Western Carolina - Defensive Backs/Academic Liaison
2007 Ashland - Linebackers/Academic Liaison
2001-06 Ashland - Secondary/Academic Liaison
Alex Golesh - Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Alex Golesh will be the Rockets’ running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He spent the past three seasons as a graduate assistant, 2006-07 at Northern Illinois and 2008 at Oklahoma State. Golesh worked with the outside linebackers at Oklahoma State, helping the Cowboys to a 9-3 record and a berth in the Holiday Bowl. At NIU, Golesh worked for one season assisting with defensive video preparation and one season working with the offensive line.
Golesh got his start in the coaching business as a student assistant coach while attending Ohio State as an undergraduate. He spent two-and-a-half years aiding the Buckeyes’ defensive coaches, with responsibilities that included working with the defensive line and helping to break down film. During his time at Ohio State, the Buckeyes claimed the 2005 Big Ten Championship and went on to earn a victory in the Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame, and posted a win in the 2004 Alamo Bowl over Oklahoma State.
Golesh also spent one year as a defensive line coach in a first-year football program at newly opened Westerville Central High School while at Ohio State.
"I’ve been around Alex a long time, first at Ohio State and then at Oklahoma State. He’s the type of aggressive coach I want in this program," said Beckman. "He enjoys teaching and coaching young men. I think he’s a great fit."
A three-year letterwinner in football at Dublin Scioto High School, Golesh helped his team to a 10-2 record and postseason berth as a senior.
Golesh was born in Moscow, Russia, but grew up in Dublin, OH. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio State in 2006, and is currently working on his master’s degree.
Alex Golesh’s Coaching History
2009 Toledo - Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator
2008 Oklahoma State - Graduate Assistant
2006-07 Northern Illinois - Graduate Assistant
2005 Westerville Central High School - Defensive Line
Louis Ayeni - Running Backs
Louis Ayeni comes to Toledo from Northwestern, where he served as a graduate assistant for the past two seasons, working primarily with the offense. He will coach the running backs at UT.
"I got to know Lou in December when I went to Northwestern to watch them practice and prepare for their bowl game," said Beckman. "He's an outstanding young man who has a great background in running the kind of offense we want to run."
During his career at Northwestern from 1999-2003, Ayeni played running back before switching to safety prior to his senior season. He served as team captain in 2003 and 2004 and was a team representative to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) from 2002-04. He graduated in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in sociology.
Despite being limited his senior year by injury, Ayeni earned respect as one of the most feared hitters in the Big Ten Conference. In four games his senior year, he totaled 22 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In the 2003 season-opening win at Kansas, Ayeni was tabbed the team's defensive player of the game, his first game playing safety in college. Later that season he added "Player of the Game" and "Big Playmaker of the Game" accolades against Purdue and Wisconsin, respectively. As an offensive performer early in his career, Ayeni helped lead the Wildcats to a Big Ten Championship in 2000. As a true freshman in 1999, Ayeni led the team in kickoff return average and yardage, was third on the team in special teams tackles, and was the Wildcats second-leading rusher.
Ayeni played for Head Coach Tony Dungy and the Indianapolis Colts as a safety for the 2004-05 season before joining the St. Louis Rams and Head Coach Mike Martz in 2005-06 as a linebacker.
A native of Woodbury, MN, Ayeni played his prep ball at Woodbury High School where he helped lead the Royals to their only state championship in 1998. He is the school's career leader in yards (3,504) and touchdowns (47). He ran for 2,112 yards and 34 touchdowns his senior season, both school records, and returned seven punts for 270 yards and three touchdowns.
Ayeni served as varsity defensive backs coach and varsity track and field coach from 2006-08 at his alma mater, Woodbury High School. Ayeni also participated in the Bill Walsh Coaching Internship with the Chicago Bears at their 2009 training camp.
Louis Ayeni's Coaching History
Years School/Team Position
2010 Toledo Running Backs
2008-09 Northwestern Graduate Assistant
Eli Rasheed - Defensive Line
Eli Rasheed is in his first season on the Rockets’ football staff as the defensive line coach.
Rasheed spent the past five seasons as the defensive tackles coach at Florida Atlantic. Prior to that, Rasheed had a successful high school coaching career as an assistant at Venice (FL) High School and head coach at Booker (FL) High School.
"Eli comes from a great program with Coach (Howard) Schnellenberger at Florida Atlantic," said Beckman. "They built that program extremely fast. To have two bowl wins in just four seasons at Division I-A level is pretty remarkable. I had a chance to coach against Florida Atlantic when I was at Oklahoma State and I liked Eli’s demeanor on the sidelines. I liked his intensity."
Rasheed grew up in Indianapolis and played football at Indiana from 1991-95, participating in bowl games in 1991 and 1993. He got his start in coaching at Venice (FL) High School, working as an assistant from 1996-2000 and again from 2002-03. He helped the Indians capture the Florida 5A state, regional and district championships in 2000 and 2002. Venice also captured the 1999 District Championship, as well as 6A regional and district championships in 2003. In between his stints at Venice, Rasheed was the head coach at Booker (FL) High School, leading the Tornadoes to a 6-5 record in 2001.
Rasheed joined Florida Atlantic University’s staff in the 2004 season, and began molding a defensive line that would eventually lead FAU to back-to-back bowl victories in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, the Owls went 8-5 and defeated Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl, 44-27. This past season, FAU posted a 7-6 record and finished the season with a 24-21 win over Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl.
Eli Rasheed’s Coaching History
2009 Toledo - Defensive Line
2004-08 Florida Atlantic - Defensive Tackles
2002-03 Venice (FL) High School - Assistant Coach
2001 Booker (FL) High School - Head Coach
1996-2000 Venice (FL) High School - Defensive Line
