Toledo to Begin Search for New Coach

University of Toledo football coach Tom Amstutz plans to step down from his position today, The Blade has learned. Mr. Amstutz and UT Athletic Director Mike O’Brien are scheduled to announce at a news conference this morning that Mr. Amstutz will be reassigned to a job in the university’s alumni relations department. The move would take effect at the end of the football season. Mr. Amstutz, 53, is 57-38 in his eight years as head coach of the Rockets, with two Mid-American Conference championships. But UT is 2-6 this season and is likely to have a losing record for the third straight year. UT is 0-4 at the Glass Bowl this year. A Toledo native, former UT player, and Rockets assistant coach for 21 years, Mr. Amstutz’s contract runs through 2009, when he is scheduled to be paid a base salary of $190,000. Reached last night, Mr. Amstutz said he preferred to wait until today to comment. UT plays at Akron Wednesday night. – Toldeo Blade

The University of Toledo has scheduled a news conference for 10:00 am Monday at which time it is expected that Rockets head football coach Tom Amstutz will announce that he is stepping down as head coach effective at the end of this season. Amstutz, currently in his eighth year as head coach of the Rockets, has been under increasing fire recently for the Rockets’ plummeting football fortunes. Toledo is currently 2-6 and winless in four games at home this season.  On the verge of a third consecutive losing season, it is expected that Amstutz will be retained by Toledo but reassigned to a capacity outside of the athletics department when the official announcement is made jointly by Toledo Athletics Director Mike O’Brien and Amstutz at the Monday morning press conference.   During Amstutz’s tenure the Rockets have compiled a record of 57-38, have won two MAC titles (2001, 2004) and made four bowl appearances. But coming off of consecutive 5-7 seasons in 2006 and 2007, the amiable head coach had fallen out of favor among Toledo supporters. – MAC Report