Reports: Offensive coordinator Jason Candle to be Toledo’s head coach

Toledo is reportedly promoting from within for its new head coach.

According to WTOL in Toledo, offensive coordinator Jason Candle is the Rockets’ choice to be Matt Campbell’s successor. Sports Illustrated also reported the news.

Multiple sources tell me Jason Candle is likely to be named Head Football Coach at Toledo today.

— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) December 2, 2015

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

Toledo confirmed the hire of a new coach with a tweet announcing an afternoon news conference.

UT vice-president/athletic director Mike O’Brien will hold a news conference today at 4:30 to announce Toledo’s new head football coach.

— Toledo Athletics (@ToledoRockets) 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.

He 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.

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.