Football: Tom Amstutz Named Head Football Coach
12/12/2000 12:00:00 PM | Football
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Dec. 12, 2000
Toledo, OH - Longtime assistant coach Tom Amstutz was presented as the new head football coaching position at the University of Toledo in a news conference on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Amstutz becomes the 24th head coach in UT history. He replaces Gary Pinkel, who left after 10 seasons to become head coach at Missouri on Nov. 30.
Amstutz returned to Toledo from the University of Missouri, where he had joined Pinkel's staff as the defensive coordinator. But the Toledo native said his heart was always with the Rockets.
"Missouri is the second-best place I've ever been. You know what's first," said Amstutz. "I was working hard for them, but my heart was still in Toledo and I'm just happy to come back."
"I've prepared 21 years for this and I'm ready. There's no doubt about it. Our preparation is going to be like never before. We have high standards and we're expecting to win."
UT Athletic Director Pete Liske launched a national search for a head coach but said the best man for the job was clearly Amstutz.
"We're thrilled to have Tom Amstutz as our head coach," said Liske. "When you add it all up, Tom was the best fit for this job. Tom has been a big part of the success of our program for many years. His appointment keeps the continuity and momentum of a great program going strong."
Said UT interim President Bill Decatur, "This is truly a great day for the University of Toledo, the entire Toledo community and for Rocket fans everywhere. Tom has a real passion for winning, and maybe even more important, he has a passion for helping our players grow and develop as athletes and as young men. Tom has given a lot to this university over the last 21 years. He knows what it takes to be successful, and he will provide the kind of leadership that will keep this program one of the best in the nation."
Amstutz was an assistant coach at Toledo for 21 years before joining Pinkel's staff in Missouri. He served the last two seasons with the Rockets as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. He had been defensive coordinator since 1994, and outside linebackers coach from 1990-93. His first stint with the Rockets was from 1977-86 when he started as a graduate assistant and eventually became defensive ends coach. From 1987-89 he was a linebackers coach at Navy before returning to UT.
"When you stay and work hard, good things happen," said Amstutz. "That's a good lesson for the players to look at. I started at Toledo by bringing in the coffee and rolling up the mats. I was a position coach, then a coordinator, assistant head coach. It's just hard work and believing in the program. That's why I'm here."
Under Amstutz's leadership this past season, the Rockets' defense ranked third 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 (+22 turnovers).
Prior to coaching at UT, Amstutz was a two-year starter as an offensive guard on the 1975 and 1976 Rocket squads. He earned a bachelor of education in physical education and sociology from UT in 1977, and has completed work on his masters in athletic administration. He also attended Whitmer High School in Toledo.
In addition to his UT duties, Amstutz is involved in various clinics throughout Ohio and Michigan, serving as the defensive end coach at the University of Michigan football camp since 1977. He and his wife, Beth, are the parents of two daughters, Lauren, 16, and Brooke, 15.
