Offensive coordinator Jason Candle named Toledo's head coach
Toledo promoted from within for its new head coach.
The school announced Wednesday that offensive coordinator Jason Candle is the Rockets' choice to be Matt Campbell's successor.
Candle had been considered a possibility to go to Iowa State with Campbell. Iowa State announced the hiring of Campbell on Sunday. The Rockets have played the Cyclones the past two seasons.
Source tells me there was a major shift over the last 2 days. Candle left to ISU & began recruiting. Was then offered the job at Toledo.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) December 2, 2015
The Toledo players badly wanted Jason Candle to be their Head Coach. They will be thrilled with this news.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) December 2, 2015
Candle has been with the team for seven years. He started as the slot receivers and tight ends coach and added offensive coordinator to his duties after three seasons. He's been the quarterbacks coach in addition to being the coordinator for the past two seasons.
"We are very pleased that Jason Candle has agreed to become the head football coach at the University of Toledo," said UT athletic director Mike O'Brien. "Jason has done a terrific job in his seven years with the Rockets, first as our receivers coach, then as our offensive coordinator. During that time, our offenses have been among the best in the Mid-American Conference, and in some cases, the entire country.”
Candle was the offensive coordinator at Division III powerhouse Mount Union for two seasons before arriving at Toledo. A 2003 graduate of Mount Union, Candle follows Campbell as another young coach for the Rockets. Campbell turned 35 on Sunday.
"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to be the head football coach at the University of Toledo," Candle said. "A lot of great coaches have walked through these doors. A lot of players and coaches have built the outstanding tradition of success at Toledo, so I'm very honored and humbled to lead this program."
Toledo, 9-2, missed an opportunity to play for the MAC Championship against Bowling Green with a loss to Western Michigan last week. The Rockets will go to a top-tier MAC bowl and the destination will be known after the title game.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
