1. Frank Lauterbur (1963-1970): Lauterbur built the Rockets into a powerhouse in the late 1960’s, winning MAC titles in 1967, 1969 and 1970 before accepting the head coaching position at Iowa. Lauterbur’s last two Rocket teams comprised the first two seasons of the Rockets’ famous 35-game winning streak, a three-year run that put Toledo on the college football map.
2. Gary Pinkel (1991-2000): UT’s all-time leader with 73 wins, Pinkel led Toledo to a MAC title and undefeated season in 1995. After his Rockets went 10-1 in his final season in Toledo in 2000, Pinkel moved on to Missouri, where he became that school’s all-time victory leader, as well.
3. Tom Amstutz (2001-2008): A former Rocket player, “Toledo Tom” served as an assistant coach and head coach at Toledo for 29 seasons. He led the Rockets to MAC titles in 2001 and 2004.
4. Dan Simrell (1980-1989): Simrell, a former Rocket quarterback, won 50 games from 1982 through 1989, leading the Rockets to a MAC crown in 1984.
5. Matt Campbell (2012-2015): Campbell had an impressive 35-15 record from 2011 through 2015. Campbell, who won his first game as head coach at the 2011 Military Bowl, moved on to become the leader at Iowa State at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
