Toledo Notes- Bowl Game

You would be hardpressedto find someonemore passionateabout his work thanMatt Campbell.Campbell, in histhird season as the headfootball coach at theUniversity of Toledo, describeshimself this way.“Relentless,” saidCampbell. “Going fromgood to great requiresrelentlessness. I want tobe relentless in the pursuitof greatness, and Iwant my staff and playersto be the same way.”Campbell’s pursuitof greatness has vaultedhim up the coachingladder quickly. He was named Toledo head coach on Dec.12, 2011, becoming the youngest head coach in the NCAADivision I FBS at the time by more than three years. Today, atage 34, he is still the second-youngest head coach in the FBS.But age has no bearing on what Campbell has accomplishedthus far in his career, and it certainly is not a factor on wherehe plans to lead the UT program.Just 16 days after taking over the helm in 2011, Campbellled his Rockets to a 42-41 victory over Air Force in the MilitaryBowl. He followed that up with winning seasons in 2012,2013 and 2014 including berths in the 2012 Famous IdahoPotato Bowl and the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl.These are just further chapters in his meteoric rise in thecoaching world that began just a little more than a decadeago. When the subject of the most successful young coachesin the nation comes up, Campbell’s name is almost alwaysincluded in the conversation.Growing Up in Football CountryHead coach MATT CAMPBELLCampbell’s passion forfootball was nurtured inthe heart of football country.He was born Massillon,OH, a football hotbedfamous for presentingevery male baby with aminiature football at thehospital nursery. His father,Rick, was the footballcoach at Massillon JacksonHigh School, a rivalto Campbell’s own highschool, Massillon Perry. Anoutstanding high schoolfootball player, Campbellchose to play college footballat Mount Union, just ashort drive from his home.Campbell thrived at MountUnion under legendarycoach Larry Kehres, twice earning first-team All-America andOhio Athletic Conference defensive lineman of the year honors.Better still, Campbell was a vital part of three consecutiveNCAA Division III national titles (2000, 2001, 2002). During hiscareer at Mount Union, he had 207 tackles, 49 tackles for lossand 22 sacks. Campbell also excelled in the classroom, earningCoSIDA Academic All-America honors and graduating in2002.Matt Campbell’s winning percentage of 65.8% (25-13) ranks secondall-time at Toledo behind Gary Pinkel (65.9%) for coaches with atleast three years at the UT helm.Learning the Coaching RopesCampbell began his coaching career as the offensivegraduate assistant at Bowling Green in 2003 and 2004, workingwith the tight ends for teams that won the 2003 MotorCity Bowl and 2004 GMAC Bowl. He then returned to his almamater for the 2005 season as offensive coordinator/offensiveline coach.In his two seasons leading the Mount Union offense,Campbell and the Purple Raiders went 29-1 and won twoCampbell encourages his players to participate in communityservice in the off-season.Campbell meets with the media following a practice at the2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.