2012 FIGHTING ILLINI

THE COACHING STAFF

2012 illinois football // 39 The Coaching Staff Findlay, 1988 First season at Illinois

Tim Beckman was named the 23rd head football coach at the University of Illinois by director of athletics Mike Thomas on Dec. 9, 2011. Beckman came to Illinois after three years as head coach at Toledo, where he led the The Beckman File Rockets to two bowl appearances and a Mid-American Conference West Division co-championship. Hometown Berea, Beckman engineered an impressive turnaround at Toledo in his three years at the helm after inheriting a birthdate team that went 3-9 in 2008. The Rockets improved to Jan. 19, 1965 5-7 in 2009 before going 8-5 with a 7-1 record in the Family MAC and a berth in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Wife: Kim 2010. Toledo posted an 8-4 record in 2011, including Sons: Tyler and Alex another 7-1 MAC record, a share of the MAC West Daughter: Lindsay Division title and a berth in the . In the last two seasons, Beckman compiled a 14-2 record in MAC Education games, second best in the conference over that span. Bachelor’s degree, physical education – , 1988 He has learned under some of the finest coaches in Master’s degree, education - Auburn America, including , , University, 1994 and . When he guided the Rockets to an 8-4 regular-season record and a bowl appearance in Playing Experience 2010, it was UT’s first bowl since 2005. In addition, his University of Kentucky, 1983 last two recruiting classes at Toledo have been widely University of Findlay, 1984-87 praised, earning a No. 1 ranking among MAC teams by Rivals.com in both seasons after landing two of the BOWL GAMES three four-star prospects signed by conference schools. 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl 2007 Insight Bowl defensive coordinator at Elon (1996-97), the secondary 2006 BCS National Championship Game Beckman sent a pair of Toledo players to the NFL in defensive back Barry Church and receiver Stephen coach/recruiting coordinator at Western Carolina (1990- 2005 95) and a graduate assistant at Auburn (1988-89). 2004 GMAC Bowl Williams in 2010. Three players earned first-team All- 2003 Motor City Bowl MAC honors in 2011, including Eric Page, who earned Beckman’s two seasons as the defensive coordinator 1989 Hall of Fame first-team honors as a receiver, kick returner and 1988 at State were successful, as the Cowboys returner. posted a 16-10 record, including a 9-4 mark in 2008 Before accepting Toledo’s head coaching position, and an appearance in the Holiday Bowl. In 2007, the Beckman had 21 years of experience as an assistant Cowboys went 7-6, including a win over Indiana in the coach. He served as the defensive coordinator at Insight Bowl. Oklahoma State (2007-08), the coach At Ohio State, Beckman mentored the Buckeye at Ohio State (2005-06), the defensive coordinator/ cornerbacks. During his stay at Ohio State, the Buckeyes assistant head coach at Bowling Green (1998-2004), the were 22-3 and played in two BCS bowl games. Along the

“Tim Beckman brings an impressive resume to Illinois and is highly regarded within the entire coaching community. Coach Beckman sold me on his vision for Illinois football throughout the interview process. He is a proven recruiter, has worked alongside some of the nation’s top coaches, will hav