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For the past 16 years, no one has embodied the success of Toledo Football more than Head Coach Jason Candle.
Now entering his 10th season as Toledo’s head coach, Candle has won two Mid-American Conference Championship titles and three MAC West Division crowns, while making seven bowl appearances. He was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2023.
Candle has won 73 games as Toledo’s head coach, tied with Gary Pinkel (1991-2000) for the most victories in school history. No team in the Mid-American Conference has won more games than Toledo during Candle’s tenure. Toledo has not had a losing season in Candle’s nine seasons as head coach.
In 2024, Candle’s Rockets went 8-5 and won two games again Power Four teams, a 41-17 romp at Mississippi State and a 48-46, six-overtime thriller vs. Pitt in the GameAboveSports Bowl.
In 2023, Toledo won 11 consecutive games on its way to a Top 25 ranking, a MAC West Division crown and an appearance in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl.
During his tenure as head coach, 10 Rockets have been selected in the NFL Draft, including Quinyon Mitchell, who was chosen in the first round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
Candle first joined the Rockets as an assistant coach in 2009, eventually assuming the role of offensive coordinator. He took over as head coach in December of 2015, embarking on a quest to take an already outstanding program to even greater heights.
In 2017, the Rockets achieved an 11-3 record and won the Mid-American Conference Championship with a 45-28 victory over Akron in the MAC title game. Candle was named MAC Coach of the Year, leading the Rockets to their first outright MAC West Division crown since 1998 and first league championship since 2004.
In 2022, Toledo went 9-5 and won another league title, defeating East Division champion Ohio, 17-7, in the MAC Championship Game. Toledo went on to defeat Liberty in the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, becoming the first Rocket team since 2001 to win a MAC Championship title and bowl game in the same season.
Candle also has a tremendous record of recruiting talent to the Glass City. Toledo has had the No. 1 recruiting class in the MAC seven times during his tenure, including the highest rated class in MAC history in 2024.
2024: Big Wins Over Mississippi State and Pitt
Candle’s ninth season as Toledo’s head coach began with a 41-17 thrashing of Mississippi State and a 48-46, six-overtime victory over Pitt in the GameAboveSports Bowl. It was the first time Toledo won two games against Power Four conference opponents since the 2015 season.
Toledo finished the 2024 season with an 8-5 record, its 15th consecutive campaign without a losing record, the third-longest streak among all FBS schools. Among the Rockets’ conference wins was a 30-20 victory over MAC regular-season co-champion Miami.
Nine Rockets earned All-MAC honors in 2024, including senior safety Maxen Hook, who earned first-team recognition for the third straight year and became just the third Rocket ever to make all-league four times. Senior WR Jerjuan Newton, junior WR Junior Vandeross and senior kickoff returner Jacquez Stuart joined Hook on MAC’s first-team.
Four Rocket seniors were invited to post-season all-star games: Hook and Darius Alexander in the Senior Bowl, and Newton and Anthony Torres in the Hula Bowl.
Junior quarterback Tucker Gleason finished second in the MAC in total offense (264.3) and third in passing yards (234.0), while Toledo as a team led the league in passing offense (254.2).
2023: 11 Straight Wins and a Top 25 Ranking
Candle guided the Rockets to another stellar season in 2023, finishing with an 11-3 record, the second 11-win season in his tenure at Toledo. He was rewarded for his efforts by being named MAC Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.
The Rockets went 8-0 in MAC play for the first time in school history in 2023, and were the first MAC school to go 8-0 since 2016. Toledo won the MAC West Division championship and advanced to the MAC Championship Game for the second straight year.
The 2023 season also extended Toledo’s streak of non-losing seasons to 14, the fifth-longest in the country.
Toledo played Wyoming in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl, its third straight bowl appearance and seventh under Candle.
Following a last-second 30-28 loss at Illinois in the season opener, Candle’s Rockets won 11 straight games for the first time since 1971, and closed out the home portion of their season with a perfect 6-0 record, their first undefeated home season since 2017 and just the second since 2004.
Toledo also cracked the Top 25 in 2023, moving up to No. 23 in the Associated Press college football poll on Nov. 19 and Nov. 26. It was Toledo’s first time in the Top 25 since 2015.
Quarterback Dequan Finn won the Vern Smith Award as the Mid-American Conference MVP, while running back Peny Boone was named the MAC’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Following the season, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was chosen in the first round (No. 22 overall) by Philadelphia in the NFL Draft, the first Rocket taken in the first round in 31 years. Mitchell made second-team on four of the five major All-America teams — the Associated Press, FWAA, AFCA, Sporting News.
Mitchell was one of 10 Rockets to earn first-team All-MAC honors, along with Peny Boone (RB), Judge Culpepper (DT), Dequan Finn (QB), Dallas Gant (LB), Maxen Hook (S), Jerjuan Newton (WR), Nick Rosi (OL), Vinny Sciurry (OL) and Jacquez Stuart (KR).
Toledo’s offense was dominant in 2023, leading the MAC in total offense (419.2), scoring (32.3), passing yards (220.6), passing efficiency (147.8) and rushing yards (198.6).
MAC Championship, Bowl Victory in 2022
Candle guided the Rockets to a share of the MAC West Division title and the second MAC Championship during his reign in 2022. Toledo defeated East Division champion Ohio, 17-7, at Detroit’s Ford Field. The victory tied Candle with Frank Lauterbur (1969, 1970) and Tom Amstutz (2001, 2004) for the most outright titles in Toledo history.
Toledo then went on to defeat Liberty, 21-19, in the 2022 Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 20, marking the first time since 2001 that a Rocket squad won a MAC Championship title and bowl game in the same season.
Candle and his Rockets earned their trip to the 2022 Roofclaim.com Boca Raton with a MAC Championship run that was not without its challenges. But the Midnight Blue and Gold triumphed when it mattered most, winning four of five MAC West Division games and then handling a very tough Ohio team in the MAC Championship Game.
The 2022 Rockets featured arguably the best defense in the Mid-American Conference. The Rockets ranked No. 1 in the MAC in total defense (326.2), defensive passing efficiency (112.2) and passing yards allowed (183.0).
The defense was led by four first-team All-MAC players: senior defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson, junior linebacker Dallas Gant, sophomore cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and sophomore safety Maxen Hook. Mitchell, who led the nation with 25 passes defended, was named second-team All-America by Walter Camp and third-team All-America by the Associated Press. Mitchell gained national attention when he had four interceptions and two pick-sixes vs. Northern Illinois on Oct. 8.
The Rockets were second in the MAC in scoring offense (31.3) thanks to an offense line led by first-team All-MAC offensive lineman Nick Rosi. Quarterback Dequan Finn and wide receiver Jerjuan Newton earned second-team All-MAC honors.
Bahamas Bowl Appearance in 2021
The 2021 season began with a near-upset of Notre Dame on Sept. 11 and culminated with an appearance in the Bahamas Bowl, the fifth bowl trip for Candle as head coach.
The Rockets took a 29-24 lead over Notre Dame with just 1:35 to play but eventually fell to the No. 7 Fighting Irish, 32-29. Toledo went on to finish with a 7-6 record, with four of those losses coming by three points or less.
The Rockets finished the season strong, winning their final three regular-season games, and averaging 44.3 points per game in those three contests. Their strong finish clinched the program’s 12th-straight season without a losing record and 11th-straight season reaching bowl eligibility. The 2021 Bahamas Bowl was Candle’s 10th bowl game since joining Toledo’s coaching staff in 2009.
The Rockets were the top team statistically in the MAC on both sides of the ball in 2021, ranking first in the MAC in both scoring offense (33.4) and scoring defense (21.8). Those figures ranked 26th and 27th in the country, respectively.
Eleven Rockets earned All-MAC honors in 2021, the most for Toledo since placing 12 players on All-MAC teams in 2016.
Leading the way were five first-team selections, the most since 2017: senior offensive lineman Bryce Harris, senior defensive backs Tycen Anderson and Samuel Womack, junior running back Bryant Koback, and junior outside linebacker Jamal Hines.
Following the season, Anderson (Cincinnati) and Womack (San Francisco) were both selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Bryant signed as an undrafted free agent with Minnesota.
Big Wins Over BYU and Colorado State in 2019
In 2019, the Rockets earned bowl eligibility for the 10th consecutive season. Highlights included a pair of thrilling non-conference victories over Colorado State and BYU.
Toledo had four players make All-MAC in 2019. Juniors Bryant Koback and Bryce Mitchell made second team, while redshirt freshman Nick Rosi and sophomore Jamal Hines earned third-team honors. Koback’s 1,187 yards rushing was the 13th-highest season total by a Rocket.
As a team, the Rockets finished second in the MAC in rushing (224.5) and fourth in total offense (434.1).
Strong Finish Leads to Bowl Berth in 2018
In 2018, Toledo was invited to play FIU in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, its fourth bowl berth under Candle. The Rockets won four of their last five games to finish the regular season with seven wins.
Toledo relied on its high-powered offense, cracking the 50-point barrier a school-record six times. The Rockets ranked first in the MAC in scoring offense (40.4) and second in total offense (443.8). UT featured a balanced attack, with three running backs gaining over 500 yards rushing and three receivers surpassing 500 yards receiving. Junior Diontae Johnson, who earned first-team All-MAC at wide receiver and punt returner, and second-team at kickoff returner, was named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year. Senior wide receiver Cody Thompson also was a first-team All-MAC pick for the second time.
Following the season, a pair of Rockets were chosen in the 2019 NFL Draft. Johnson (Pittsburgh-third round) and cornerback Ka’dar Hollman (Green Bay - sixth round) became the fifth and sixth Toledo players to be selected over the previous three drafts. Four other Rockets signed free-agent contracts immediately following the draft, bringing the total number of Toledo players who were drafted or signed as free agents to 15 over the previous three years.
2017: MAC Champions!
Candle led the Rockets to a MAC Championship in his second season as head coach. Toledo went 11-3 and won its first MAC Championship in 13 years. The Rockets earned a trip to the MAC Championship Game by winning the MAC West Division with a 7-1 mark.
Toledo’s offense dominated once again, leading the MAC in total offense (483.9) and finishing second in scoring (36.4). Candle was honored as the MAC Coach of the Year.
Six Rockets earned a total of seven first-team All-MAC honors, including senior quarterback Logan Woodside, who also was honored with the Vern Smith Award (league MVP) and was named the MAC’s Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named a contender for the Heisman Trophy by the Heisman Trophy Trust for the second consecutive season. Along the way, Woodside set the school record for career passing yards and touchdown passes.
Toledo also earned an invitation to the Dollar General Bowl, its seventh bowl appearance in the previous eight years.
After the season, Woodside was chosen to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the State Farm All-Star Football Challenge. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the fourth Rocket in two years to be selected in the draft. Five other Rockets signed free-agent contracts immediately following the draft, the most in school history.
Gaining National Attention in 2016
In Candle’s first full season as head coach, Toledo won nine games and earned a berth into the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, its sixth bowl berth in seven years. The Rockets also gained national attention with a record-setting offense and three players selected in the NFL Draft following the conclusion of the season.
The 2016 Rockets featured one of the top offenses in the country, ranking in the top 10 in five offensive categories, including passing efficiency (second), third-down conversions (fifth), total offense (seventh) and passing offense (10th). Toledo set the school record with an average of 517.8 yards per game.
The Rockets’ 2016 roster housed a record nine players who were on the official watch lists for national awards. Twelve Rockets made All-MAC, including a league-high seven first-team selections. Junior quarterback Logan Woodside led the nation with 45 touchdown passes and was named a contender for the Heisman Trophy by the Heisman Trophy Trust. Senior tight end Michael Roberts led the nation’s tight ends with 16 TD catches and was named first-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America. Senior running back Kareem Hunt finished his career as Toledo’s all-time leading rusher with 4,945 yards. Roberts and Hunt were chosen to play in the 2017 Senior Bowl, while offensive lineman Storm Norton and defensive tackle Treyvon Hester joined Roberts as selections for the East-West Shrine Game.
Following the 2016 season, a record eight Rocket seniors were either selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, signed as free agents or invited to mini-camps. Three Rockets — Kareem Hunt, Michael Roberts and Treyvon Hester — were drafted, the most since the NFL went to its current seven-round format in 1994. Hunt was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. Roberts was taken in the fourth round by Detroit, while Hester was chosen by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round. Hunt went on to lead the NFL in rushing as a rookie.
A Victorious Debut as Head Coach in 2015
Candle’s debut as head coach was a memorable one. Despite having only a partial coaching staff and less than three weeks to prepare for No. 24 Temple, the Rockets pulled off a 32-17 victory in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl. Toledo held the Owls to just three points and 67 yards of offense in the first half and dominated the fourth quarter, too, outscoring Temple, 20-8, in the final 15 minutes.
After the bowl win, Candle added eight assistants to the staff, as well as a strength and conditioning coach, a director of high school relations and a director of football operations. Despite the late start, the new staff helped Candle put the finishing touches on a recruiting class that was ranked second in the MAC by ESPN.com.
Candle Made his Mark as Receivers Coach
Candle began his career at Toledo in 2009, coaching the slot receivers and tight ends. Among the players in his meeting room was one of the most decorated receivers in Rocket history, freshman Eric Page. Page would go on to catch 306 passes in his career, the most ever by a Division I-BCS receiver in three seasons. A three-time All-MAC player, Page broke virtually every UT receiving record and tied the MAC record for career receptions. Candle helped guide Page to an outstanding freshman season. Page led all freshmen in the nation in receptions (82) and yardage (1,159) and was named first-team Freshman All-America by Phil Steele Magazine and the College Football News.
In 2010, Candle became the receivers coach, helping the Rockets go 8-5 and gain their first bowl appearance in five seasons. Page caught 99 passes and was a first-team All-MAC honoree at wide receiver, earning All-America honors as a kickoff returner as well.
In 2011, the Rockets went 9-4 and won their first bowl game in six years, a 42-41 victory over Air Force in the Military Bowl. Sophomore wide receiver Bernard Reedy caught three touchdown passes and was named the game’s MVP. Page caught a school-record 125 passes for the season and earned first-team All-MAC honors.
Guiding the Rocket Offense as Coordinator
Candle became the offensive coordinator in 2012, ushering in a record-breaking era for the Rocket offense. In his debut season as the OC, Candle helped Toledo rank No. 3 on offense in the MAC with an average of 445.2 yards per game. The Rockets had five offensive players make the All-MAC team, propelling them to a 9-4 mark and a trip to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
In 2013, the Rockets averaged 33.0 points and 447.3 yards of total offense per game. Toledo’s running game was especially effective, ranking second in the Mid-American Conference with 240.6 yards per contest. In addition, seven players on the offensive side of the ball earned All-MAC honors, including two-time first-team running back David Fluellen.
In 2014, UT led the MAC in just about every major offensive category, including scoring offense (36.6), total offense (490.5) and rushing offense (256.4). The 2014 season culminated with a nine-touchdown outburst in a 63-44 victory over Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl for the 9-4 Rockets.
Six Rockets earned All-MAC recognition on offense in 2014, with senior center Greg Mancz snagging second-team All-America honors and the Vern Smith Leadership Award, given annually to the top player in the MAC. Sophomore running back Kareem Hunt ranked 10th in the nation in rushing (1,631 yards) and second in yards per carry (7.96). Candle also skillfully guided the Rocket quarterbacks through a challenging season in which the top three signal-callers were all injured at the same time late in the season.
Candle’s final season as the offensive coordinator in 2015 may have been his best. The Rockets were 10-2 that year, and ranked third in the Mid-American Conference in scoring offense (35.0) and total offense (460.9 yards per game). Four Rockets earned All-MAC honors on offense, including first-team honoree Storm Norton (OL). Junior running back Kareem Hunt came back from injuries to lead the MAC in rushing with 108.1 yards per game. Toledo led the MAC in rushing, averaging nearly 208 yards per contest, and ranked No. 2 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (five). Toledo went on to beat No. 24 Temple in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl.
Guiding Players to the Next Level
Going back to his days at Mount Union, Candle has had a tremendous track record of mentoring players who have gone on to play in the NFL. As of June 2024, total of 36 players who Candle coached as either an assistant or head coach have made it to the professional ranks.
Candle has coached 34 Rockets who have made it to the NFL, including 10 who were selected in the NFL Draft between 2017-23. Most recently, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was chosen became the first Toledo Rocket to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 31 years when the Philadelphia Eagles chose him with the 22nd overall pick of the 2024 draft.
In previous drafts, Kareem Hunt (Kansas City-third round), Michael Roberts (Detroit-fourth round) and Treyvon Hester (Oakland-seventh round) were all selected in 2017; Logan Woodside (Cincinnati-seventh round) was taken in 2018, while Diontae Johnson (Pittsburgh-third round) and Ka’dar Hollman (Green Bay-sixth round) were selected in the 2019 draft. Safety Tycen Anderson (Cincinnati) and cornerback Samuel Womack (San Francisco) were chosen in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, while defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson (LA Rams) was selected in the seventh round (final pick) of 2023 draft.
Hunt led the NFL in rushing with 1,327 yards as a rookie in 2017 and has rushed for 4,436 career yards in seven seasons with the Chiefs and Browns. Johnson caught 59 passes as a rookie for the Steelers in 2019 and was named All-Pro second-team as a punt returner. In 2020, Johnson caught 88 passes with seven TD receptions, and topped that with 107 catches and eight scores in 2021. He was named to the 2021 Pro Bowl. In his five-year career, Johnson has 391 receptions for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns.
As an assistant coach at Mount Union, Candle coached a pair of receivers Pierre Garcon and Cecil Shorts, who had outstanding NFL careers. Garcon played 11 seasons in the NFL with Indianapolis, Washington and San Francisco. He caught 628 passes, including an NFL-best 113 for the Redskins in 2013. Shorts had 229 receptions in six NFL seasons.
Emphasis on Academic Excellence
Academic excellence will always be a top priority for Candle and his staff.
The Rockets have surpassed the 3.0 GPA mark nine times since Candle became the head coach, including a program-record 3.202 in the spring of 2023. A total of 71 players have earned Academic All-MAC honors in the past four seasons, including 19 in 2024. A school-record 25 players played the 2024 season having already earned their bachelor’s degree.
The Rockets also have led the Mid-American Conference in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) in seven of the past 10 years in which the data was released to the public, with an average score of 977.5 over the past seven years.
The Rockets have also earned a 94 Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in each of the past two seasons, the highest score in school history.
Toledo was one of only seven schools in the nation to earn the 2022 American Football Coaches Association’s Academic Achievement Award.
Recruiting the Best in the MAC
Candle and the Rockets have been consistently excellent in adding talent to the program as seven of Candle’s recruiting classes have been ranked No. 1 in the Mid- American Conference by 247 Sports, including in each of the past two years.
The 2024 recruiting class was given the highest rating in Mid-American Conference history (180.43). Toledo’s national ranking was 62nd, putting it ahead of “Power Five” schools such as UCLA, Baylor, Virginia, Washington State, Utah and Arizona.
Recruiting excellence is nothing new for Candle, who has a long history of recruiting success. As an assistant coach, Candle was regularly mentioned among the nation’s top recruiters, including being nationally recognized by Rivals in 2010. He was one of only nine coaches in the country from Group of Five conferences to be named to the list and the only coach from the MAC. Candle also was named the Mid-American Conference “Recruiter of the Year” by Scout.com in both 2011 and 2012. Toledo’s 2011 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the MAC by both Scout and Rivals. In 2014, Candle was named one of only two MAC assistants to be named among the top recruiters in the Group of Five conferences by Rivals.
Candle’s first recruiting class as Toledo’s head coach in 2016 was rated No. 2 in the MAC by ESPN.com despite the fact that he assumed the head coaching job just two months before Signing Day. Even more impressive is the fact that all but two of Candle’s assistant coaches were new to the program during the critical final two months of the recruiting season. Candle and his staff went on to recruit the top class in the MAC for five consecutive seasons from 2017-21.
Coaching Origins at Mount Union
Candle joined the Rockets’ staff in 2009 after spending both his playing and coaching career under head coach Larry Kehres at Mount Union. 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 were national runners-up.
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, a native of Salem, Ohio, began his coaching career at Mount Union in 2003 as the receivers coach. In the 2004 and 2005 seasons, he worked with 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 as runners-up in 2007. Mount Union offensive players earned nine All-American honors in Candle’s two seasons running the offense. QB Greg Micheli was honored in 2008 with the Gagliardi Trophy, given annually to the best NCAA Division III player in the nation. Candle also helped guide two Purple Raider receivers to All-American status during his time as the receivers coach from 2003-08. One of those All-American receivers, Pierre Garcon, is a starting wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. The other was Cecil Shorts, a fourth-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011.
Candle and his wife Nicole have a daughter, Avery, and two sons, Cameron and Colton.
Jason Candle Information
Age: 45
Hometown: Salem, Ohio
High School: West Branch High School
Family: Wife Nicole and daughter, Avery and sons Cameron and Colton
Education: Bachelor’s degree in physical education and health, Mount Union, 2003
Record as a Head Coach
Year School Position Record MAC Highlights
2015 Toledo Head Coach 1-0 0-0 Boca Raton Bowl Champs, MAC West co-champions
2016 Toledo Head Coach 9-4 6-2 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
2017 Toledo Head Coach 11-3 7-1 MAC Champions/MAC Coach of the Year/Dollar General Bowl
2018 Toledo Head Coach 7-6 5-3 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
2019 Toledo Head Coach 6-6 3-5
2020 Toledo Head Coach 4-2 4-2
2021 Toledo Head Coach 7-6 5-3 Bahamas Bowl
2022 Toledo Head Coach 9-5 5-3 MAC Champions/Rooflcaim.com Boca Raton Bowl Champions
2023 Toledo Head Coach 11-3 8-0 MAC West Champions/Barstool Arizona Bowl
2024 Toledo Head Coach 8-5 4-4 GameAbove Sports Bowl Champions
Career Record 73-40 47-23
College Coaching Experience
2015-present: Toledo - Head Coach
2014-15: Toledo - Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2012-13: Toledo - Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
2010-11: Toledo - Receivers
2009: Toledo - Slot Receivers/Tight Ends
2007-08: Mount Union - Offensive Coordinator
2002-06: Mount Union - Receivers
Bowl Games Participated in as a Coach
2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
2011 Military Bowl
2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
2015 GoDaddy Bowl (2014 season)
2015 Marmot Boca Raton Bowl
2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
2017 Dollar General Bowl
2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
2021 Bahamas Bowl
2022 Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
2023 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl
2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl
NCAA Division III National Champions Won as a Coach
2002 Mount Union
2005 Mount Union
2006 Mount Union
2008 Mount Union
NCAA Division III National Championship Games Participated in as a Coach
2002 Mount Union
2003 Mount Union
2005 Mount Union
2006 Mount Union
2007 Mount Union
2008 Mount Union
NFL Players Coached by Jason Candle
• Olasunkanmi Adeniyi (Toledo 2014-17): Pittsburgh, Tennessee
• Tycen Anderson (Toledo 2017-21): Cincinnati
• David Fluellen (Toledo 2022-23): Minnesota
• Dallas Gant (Toledo 2010-13): Tennessee
• Pierre Garcon (Mount Union 2004-07): Indianapolis, Washington, San Francisco
• Reggie Gilliam (Toledo 2016-19): Buffalo
• Vitaliy Gurman (2020-21): Las Vegas, NY Jets
• Treyvon Hester (Toledo 2013-16): Oakland, Philadelphia, Washington, Green Bay
• Ka’dar Hollman (Toledo 2015-18): Green Bay, NY Giants, Houston, Baltimore
• Reggie Howard (Toledo 2017-18): LA Chargers
• Kareem Hunt (Toledo 2013-16): Kansas City, Cleveland, Kansas City
• Desjuan Johnson (Toledo 2018-22): LA Rams
• Diontae Johnson (Toledo 2015-18): Pittsburgh, Carolina
• Dyontae Johnson (Toledo 2018-22): NY Giants
• Jon’Vea Johnson (Toledo 2015-18): Dallas
• Zac Kerin (Toledo 2010-13): Minnesota, Detroit, Atlanta, Washington, Tennessee
• Bryant Koback (Toledo 2018-21): Minnesota, Seattle
• Greg Mancz (Toledo 2011-14): Houston, Miami, Buffalo, Cleveland, Buffalo
• Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo 2020-23): Philadelphia
• Elijah Nkansah (Toledo 2013-17): Seattle, Houston, Cleveland
• Danny Noble (Toledo 2008-11): Tampa Bay, Jacksonville
• Storm Norton (Toledo 2013-16): Detroit, Minnesota, LA Chargers, New Orleans, Atlanta
• David Nwaogwugwu (Toledo 2023): Washington
• Eric Page (Toledo 2009-11): Tampa Bay
• Bernard Reedy (Toledo 2010-13): Atlanta, Tampa Bay
• Michael Roberts (Toledo 2013-16): Detroit, Miami
• Brock Ruble (Toledo 2018): Tampa Bay
• Alonzo Russell (Toledo 2012-15): Cincinnati, NY Giants
• Cecil Shorts (Mount Union 2006-10): Jacksonville, Houston, Tampa Bay
• Tuzar Skipper (Toledo 2016-18): NY Giants, Pittsburgh
• Cody Thompson (Toledo 2014-18): Seattle, Tampa Bay
• Stephen Williams (Toledo 2006-09): Arizona, Seattle, Jacksonville, Miami
• Samuel Womack (Toledo 2017-21): San Francisco
• Logan Woodside (Toledo, 2013-17): Tennessee, Atlanta, Cincinnati
* Rosters as of Aug. 31, 2024. Includes players on injured reserve and practice squads.
College Playing Experience
Wide Receiver, Mount Union 2000, 2001
Wide Receiver, Geneva (PA) College, 1998, 1999
First-Team All-OAC 2001
NCAA Division III National Champions Participated in as a Player
2000 Mount Union
2001 Mount Union
