Tim Beckman Position: Assistant Head Coach-Defense Birthdate: 01/09/1965 Experience: 8th Year

Tim Beckman, 40, joined the program in March, 1998, as the coach of the secondary, and took over in 1999 as the defensive coordinator. He is regarded as one of the top young defensive coordinators in the country according to collegefootballnews.com and has served as assistant head coach on Gregg Brandon's staff since 2002. He is a three-time nominee for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in the country and was a finalist in 2001.

Beckman headed up a unit in 2004 that was ranked third in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense (allowing 23.5 ppg.), fifth in rushing defense (132.4 ypg.), and sixth in total defense (391.8 ypg.). The Falcons were tops in the league in pass-defense efficiency, holding opposing quarterbacks to just a 55.5 completion percentage.

The Brown and Orange defense proved opportunistic in takeaways forcing a league-high 25 turnovers enroute to a #3 finish nationally in turnover margin. BGSU also registered its first shutout since 2001 with its 52-0 victory over Western Michigan on Nov. 6. In addition, linebacker Jovon Burkes and defensive back Keon Newson earned first-team All-MAC honors, while defensive end Mitchell Crossley was named second-team All-MAC and linebacker Daniel Sayles was an honorable mention selection. Newson finished fourth in the country in interceptions with six.

In 2003, BGSU finished third overall in the MAC in total defense and finished second against the rush and second in total sacks. In addition, his unit saw senior cornerback Janssen Patton earn All-American and first team All-MAC accolades and defensive end Devon Parks earn Freshman All-American honors. In addition, defensive end Mitchell Crossley earned second-team All-MAC recognition and finished among league leaders in sacks. Patton also became the first player in NCAA history to post three interceptions in a game on three separate occasions in his career.

In 2002, he saw his group lead the MAC in turnovers forced for the second straight year after replacing eight starters from the season before, including four who signed NFL free agent contracts. This new-name defense, which saw four freshmen start during the season, finished fourth in the league in total defense. BGSU also finished second in the league in pass efficiency defense and fourth in scoring defense and in fewest first downs allowed. With his attacking style of defense, BGSU averaged more than 14 points per game off of turnovers or blocked kicks. Three players, cornerback Janssen Patton, linebacker Chris Haneline and nose tackle Alex Glantzis, earned All-MAC recognition.

In 2001, the Falcons were the MAC's top-ranked unit in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, total turnovers and scoring margin. Nationally, BGSU finished third in turnover margin, seventh against the rush and in interceptions, and 22nd overall in total defense. The Falcons posted two shutouts, forced 36 turnovers and held eight opponents under 100 yards rushing. In addition, nose tackle Brandon Hicks earned All-American honors.

In 2000, he was responsible for guiding a defense which finished fourth in the conference in total defense and rushing defense, and second in sacks. He also served as recruiting coordinator for three seasons.

Prior to his appointment at BGSU, the Berea, Ohio, native spent two seasons at Elon College in North Carolina as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. The previous six years he was the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator at Western Carolina. While at WCU, he helped in the development of Willie Williams, who was a sixth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers and led the AFC in interceptions in 1995. The Catamounts finished second in the Southern Conference in both 1992 and 1993. Beckman began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Auburn in 1988 and 1989. In his two years there, the Tigers earned back-to-back top-10 national rankings and bowl berths as Southeastern Conference champions, participating in the 1988 Sugar Bowl and 1989 Hall of Fame Bowl. He assisted with the defensive backs at Auburn while earning his masters degree in education.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Findlay, Beckman majored in physical education and lettered in 1984 and 1985 on Oiler teams which qualified for the NAIA national playoffs both seasons. He attended Forest Park High School in Beaumont, Texas, for two years before completing high school at Berea High School.

Born January 19, 1965, he and his wife, Kim, have three children, Tyler (14), Lindsay (12) and Alex (8). His father, Dave, coached on the collegiate level and served as head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League for one season. He also worked for the Cleveland Browns and the San Diego Chargers in the NFL.