I guess beating Michigan in the Big House just ain't what it used to be. In a day when one of the more notably girthy college football coaches has reportedly agreed to step down after this season, another particularly large coach has announced the same. Tom Amstutz, the head coach of Toledo has announced that he is done after this season.
Amstutz was a former Toledo player and an assistant. He took over as head coach after Gary Pinkel left for Missouri. This was the last year of his contract and he had not been offered an extension by Toledo.
In Amstutz's first five seasons the Rockets went 45-18 and went to four bowl games. His name would come up as a potential hire at the end of every season in the coaching carousel. Amstutz, though, was a Toledo alum and comfortable as the Rockets head coach.
University of Toledo athletic Mike O'Brien said he and football coach Tom Amstutz came to a ''a mutual agreement last weekend'' that Amstutz would step down as coach of the Rockets program.The past three seasons have been disappointing, with a 12-20 record. There have also been numerous problems off the field, as the program has dealt with a gambling scandal. Even this season, after upsetting Michigan in Ann Arbor, players were arrested after celebrating a little too much.
Amstutz, 53, will move to a position as the director of special projects in the Alumni Relations office beginning in January. Amstutz is 57-38 in eight years as coach. He is 2-6 this season, including an upset win over the University of Michigan.
''I'm proud of the body of work I've had at the University of Toledo, '' said the man affectionately referred to as Toledo Tom. ''Now is a good time to be passing the torch.''
