 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Mike Sopher As reported by the Toledo Blade's Ron Musselman, it appears as though Coach Tom Amstutz has asked for an extension of his contract, which expires in 2007. A part of the negotiations will deal with Amstutz's salary, which is slightly above $128,000. If you think that is high for a football coach in the Mid American conference keep in mind that there are six fellow colleagues: Ohio's Frank Solich ($240,000), Northern Illinois' Joe Novak ($200,000), Western Michigan's Bill Cubit ($165,000), Central Michigan's Brian Kelly ($145,000), Akron's J.D. Brookhart ($140,000) and Bowling Green's Gregg Brandon ($130,000) who make more base salary. And none of those six has even won one MAC championship! But rather than make a large issue out of this, Amstutz has decided to focus on the season now and not his contract. After all, "Toledo Tom" cares more about his school and his players than a couple of extra dollars. He's our type of guy. Many think that Amstutz will bolt for the highest offer if a BCS school comes knocking his way. Though that is possible, I think he has made it clear that Toledo is his home. He considers this city to be his hometown. He graduated from high school here. He received both of his degrees here. He started his coaching career here. And he lived his dream of being the University of Toledo head football coach when he was offered the job in 2001. He would have made more money at Missouri under former Rocket coach Gary Pinkel. But he had to get back to Toledo. He believes in this school. This is the best university in his book. Tom Amstutz is 36-15 in four seasons with the Rockets. He has won two MAC championships and has been in three bowl games, winning one of those games. His teams have appeared more than a dozen times on national television. Oh, and his bobblehead doll is the hottest thing to hit Toledo in recent years. Yeah maybe Amstutz gets a bad rap for being a "players' coach." Maybe he gives players a second chance when they only deserve one chance. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But he is still the right man for this job. And I hope athletic director Mike O'Brien locks up Amstutz for a long long time, because I think the next "Bobby Bowden" or "Joe Paterno" as far as coaching tenures at one school goes, is right here in Toledo. Our beloved Coach Amstutz. Have a question or comment for Mike? Email |