CHAMPAIGN — If first impressions are any indication, the Illinois Fighting Illini have gotten themselves a very intense football coach.

Tim Beckman, who was introduced as the 23rd head football coach in school history on Friday, was described by Mike Thomas, director of athletics at Illinois, as a man that scares caffeine.

“I don’t know where that came from,” Beckman said. “But, I can tell you that I’m going to do everything in my power to make the Illini Nation very proud of this football program.”

And he will do that by requiring his players following his manual.

“It’s something we believe in,” Beckman said. “It something where I’ve taken bits and pieces from each one of the coaches that I’ve been blessed to coach with, and it tries to factor in everything in the program from academics to community service.”

Illinois players will be required to complete six hours of community service each year, two during the season and four during the off-season.

“We are going to have a close-knit, very accountable group of young men that are willing to set aside their own personal goals to achieve team goals,” he said. “It’s very important that each one of these players understand that. Throughout my career, throughout my time as a coach’s son, I’ve seen some great, great football teams that excelled on the football field, that excelled in the classroom and excelled in the community because they were successful as a being men and being a family.”

Beckman joked that he was born with a football in his hand. But seriously, his entire life, all 46 years has been directly related to the football coaching business as his father, Dave Beckman coached at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Additionally, the new coach of the Orange and Blue has been assistant under legendary college coaches Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel and Mike Gundy before getting his shot three years ago at the University of Toledo.

“I think all of those coaches have had a big influence on my career, but the biggest has to be my father,” Beckman said.

His background in coaching and his Midwestern roots, Beckman is a native of Berea, Ohio, were big factors in his hiring according to Thomas.

“I don’t think there is any doubt that Tim Beckman fits the University of Illinois,” Thomas said. “He is a winner and that is important. He has had tremendous success everywhere he’s been.”

The Toledo Rockets were 21-16 in his three seasons and they were 14-2 the past two years in the Mid-American Conference.

But, his record was not the only part of his resume that Thomas was interested in.

“First off, I think it’s important to find someone that will develop the student-athlete in all areas, athletically, academically and socially,” Thomas said. “Certainly, you also want someone that knows the game and someone who can recruit at the highest level. Toledo, the last two years has had the highest ranked recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference and they on track for that this year as well.

“You also want to serve as the face of the program. We need a person that gets out in the community and is not afraid to engage with all of our people on this campus. And, someone that cares about the players and it’s all about family.”

And possibly, the biggest asset for Beckman was his intense personality.

“When I was talking with coach Tressel and we were talking about Tim Beckman, the first thing he said, you will not a find a college coach in America that has more energy or a higher motor than Tim Beckman,” Thomas said. “Coach Beckman also has a little bit of a swagger. I noticed that in the interview process. Having a little bit of a swagger and that is a good thing, especially playing the Big Ten Conference.”

Beckman didn’t shy away from that description.

“We are going to be intense,” he said. “We are going to play this game for 60 minutes. You will see that on every football player’s face and every game that he plays.

“The quote that I first learned as a graduate assistant under Pat Dye at Auburn, the image of one projects the image of all. This football team will understand that quote and will understand that their image on and off the field will be held to high standards.”

Illinois will pay Beckman, $9 million over five years, according to Thomas, who said that the coach will also be able to earn bonuses for bowl appearances and other benchmarks that are still being worked out.

Beckman said that he would spend the next two days talking with the current coaches on the Illini staff as he tries to assemble his staff.

Interim coach Vic Koenning will continue in that role for the next three weeks getting the Illini ready for the Dec. 31 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Franciso.

“I’m going to be at the game as a spectator,” Beckman said. “Vic and the staff have done a tremendous job getting them ready for the bowl game.”

That will leave the newest Illini coach the time to get on the recruiting trail.

“Basically, my job right now is get the best recruiting class at Illinois,” he said. “We are a little behind schedule.”

The Illini have 14 commitments so far and Beckman said he would be contacting those players first. He also said he is looking forward to keeping All-American Whitney Mercilus around for his senior season.