Tom Amstutz Hired as New Toledo Head Football Coach
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) (Dec. 12) -- Toledo didn't look too far from home to find its new coach, hiring defensive coordinator Tom Amstutz on Tuesday.
Amstutz, 45, was an offensive guard at Toledo and has spent 21 seasons as an assistant coach at the Mid-American Conference school.
He was assistant head coach the past two seasons.
Amstutz has worked for four different coaches with the Rockets and became the defensive coordinator in 1995. Toledo's defense this season ranked third in the
nation in total defense and scoring defense, giving up just 11 points per game.
Toledo athletic director Pete Liske called Amstutz the best fit for the job.
"Tom has been a big part of the success of our program for many years," Liske said. "His appointment keeps the continuity and momentum of the program going
strong."
Toledo finished this season with a 10-1 record, but was shut out of a bowl game because the Rockets didn't win the MAC championship.
Amstutz has been an assistant coach for 24 years overall, but has no head coaching experience.
He's a top recruiter, helping bring in more than 20 all-conference players including Toledo's top tailback Chester Taylor.
Taylor, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards the past two seasons, indicated he may return to Toledo for his senior season if Amstutz replaced Gary Pinkel
who left for Missouri.
