Matt Campbell Loses ‘Interim’ Tag From Toledo Coaching Title

At rocket speed, Toledo has named its new head coach. Its the briefly-interim Matt Campbell, who’d been serving as offensive coordinator. Campbell will next lead the Rockets into a battle that actually does sound like a battle, the 2011 Military Bowl against Air Force in Washington, D.C.

Here’s Campbell on the promotion:

“I’m honored to become the next head football coach at the University of Toledo,” said Campbell. “I would like to thank Mike O’Brien and President Lloyd Jacobs for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank Tim Beckman, the Rocket coaching staff and most of all the young men on this football team who have helped me reach my goal of becoming a head football coach. Finally, I would like to thank my parents and my wife, Erica, for all their love and support in helping make this day possible.”

MAC blog Hustle Belt boggles at his age, but points out that this is sort of Toledo’s thing:

32 is young but UT has a history of hiring young people. Nick Saban, Gary Pinkel and Frank Lauterbur were all in their 30s when made head coaches. They like ‘em young, and that’s substantial because even they realize that these folk won’t be here forever. Pinkel lasted nine years, which is a lifetime in MAC athletics. If Campbell goes according to plan and coaches well for three years, then he’ll be gone to somewhere better, and the process can repeat itself.