Toledo, OH -- (Sports Network) - The University of Toledo has chosen Tim Beckman as its new head football coach.

Beckman has been the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State for the past two seasons and also served as a defensive assistant at Ohio State under Jim Tressel for two years before joining the Cowboys.

"We are very pleased that Tim Beckman has agreed to become the head football coach at the University of Toledo," said Toledo athletic director Mike O'Brien. "Tim is an outstanding coach and an exceptional person. His experience in helping build winning football programs speaks for itself, but it only tells part of the story. Throughout this process, everyone had wonderful things to say about Tim. He is a man of great character, who we feel will be able to recruit student-athletes who will excel in the classroom and bring Rocket football back into national prominence. We are very excited for the future of Rocket football under Tim's guidance."

Beckman has also been a defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at MAC rival Bowling Green, while also spending time as an assistant at Elon and Western Carolina.

"Being from Ohio and having coached in the Mid-American Conference, I have always had a great respect for the tradition and accomplishments of the Toledo football program," said Beckman. "I feel this is one of the best, if not the best football programs in the Mid-American Conference, and I am honored that I have been chosen to carry on the tradition here."

The 43-year-old Ohio native takes over for Tom Amstutz, who resigned after eight seasons at the helm.