CHAMPAIGN — Mike Thomas won't have to get on a plane today. At least, not to meet a coach.

He's got his man: Toledo's Tim Beckman. Locked up for at least five years (for $9 million). The Illinois athletic director hopes the stay is longer.

"He's someone who wants to be here," Thomas said. "Someone who wants to be at the University of Illinois for the long haul and build a program for sustained success. I don't think there's any doubt we've found that person in Tim Beckman."

From a pool that expanded and contracted, Thomas trimmed the final list to a half-dozen or so.

"There was a great deal of interest in this position," Thomas said. "At this time of year, if you want to call it hunting season, there's a lot of other jobs that are open. It's really a feeling-out process when you go out there."

Though he wouldn't name names, those believed to be interviewed/interested included Houston's Kevin Sumlin, Southern Mississippi's Larry Fedora (now at North Carolina) and Steelers running backs coach/former Illini Kirby Wilson.

"We had a very diverse pool," Thomas said. "That's important to me."

Head coaching experience was important to Thomas, but not mandatory.

"We had a lot of great candidates," Thomas said. "They weren't all head coaches."

Thomas and Beckman first talked on Dec. 2, a week before the hire. But the offer didn't come until Friday morning, when Beckman visited the campus for the first time as a coaching candidate.

"I felt good about it (Thursday)," Thomas said.

It took Illinois almost three weeks to hire Ron Zook in December 2004. Beckman's deal was done in 12 days.

"It was a fast-moving process, it was a fluid process," Thomas said. "At one point in time I was in four different cities in four days."

There were some missteps by those reporting on the search.

"There are people that I supposedly interviewed at different places and if that person walked in the door right now, I wouldn't recognize him," Thomas said. "And on the other side, there were people who said they withdrew from the process and I never had any interest in talking to and never asked to talk to. There were some withdrawals that weren't withdrawals. I couldn't quite figure that one out."

Quick look

By the time he was introduced Friday afternoon at Memorial Stadium's 77 Club, Beckman had seen his fancy new weight- room ("Fabulous. I was very impressed."), players lounge and office space.

He's going to want to tweak a few things, add his own touches. Nothing major.

Beckman promises his Illinois team will function as a family. He used a quote he first heard while a graduate assistant to Pat Dye at Auburn.

"The image of one projects the image of all," Beckman said. "This football team will understand that quote and will understand that their image on and off the football field will be held to high standards."

3 for 3

For his first major hire at Illinois, Thomas went back to familiar territory, the MAC. Twice at Cincinnati he hired coaches from Central Michigan. First, Brian Kelly. Second, Butch Jones.

Beckman isn't the big-name coach some fans craved. Thomas has some news for them.

"I've seen this before," Thomas said. "At the University of Cincinnati they said, 'Who's Brian Kelly?' And at Cincinnati they all said, 'Who's Butch Jones?' I get that. But, for me, I've got to get past all the glitter and, at the end of the day, get someone I think is the right fit for a lot of reasons."

Beckman drew rave reviews from his former bosses, Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel. Tressel's word seemed to help convince Thomas that Beckman was a "great fit" for Illinois.

"The first thing (Tressel) said was, 'You will not find a college coach in America who has more energy or a higher motor than Tim Beckman,' " Thomas said. "This is a guy who makes caffeine nervous."

Beckman will play his buddy Meyer on Nov. 3 in Columbus. Last time he coached against the Buckeyes, Beckman's Rockets just missed an upset victory, losing 27-22 on Sept. 10.

"I can't wait," Beckman said. "Urban's a competitor. And so is Tim Beckman. It will be a great opportunity for both of us."

Wish list

Before the search started, Thomas said his preference was to hire someone with head coaching experience. After three years at Toledo and two bowl teams, Beckman qualified under that model.

Thomas wanted someone who would develop the players on and off the field. His team's grade-point average rose significantly during his time at Toledo and Beckman stressed good manners and citizenship to his players.

"We want it to happen fast," Beckman said. "The vision of this program is for every Illini football player to reach his full potential."

Thomas wanted someone with football knowledge. Beckman grew up in the home of a college and pro coach, his father Dave.

"I've been raised with a football in my hand," Beckman said.

Thomas wanted someone who viewed the Illinois job as a destination, not a steppingstone.

"This is as good a day as it was when I had my children born," Beckman said. "This is a dream come true for the Beckman family."

Thomas wanted a recruiter. Toledo's classes under Beckman have ranked among the MAC's best.

Thomas wanted a coach who believes in himself and his program.

"He has a little bit of a swagger to him," Thomas said. "I noticed that early on. I noticed that in the interview process."

"This is a gold mine," Beckman said. "You can win at the University of Illinois."

And Thomas wanted a "face of the program" type guy. Someone who not only doesn't mind meeting the fans and alumni, but someone who likes the idea.

"I think it's part of his DNA," Thomas said. "I think this community is absolutely going to love Tim and Kim and their kids (Tyler, Lindsay and Alex)."

Moving parts

While Thomas' work is done, Beckman is just getting started. He's got to hire nine assistant coaches.

First, he will look to his staff at Toledo.

"I will try to get as many of them here as I possibly can," Beckman said.

Beckman will meet with every current Illinois coach, a number that is down to eight after the midweek departure of Paul Petrino. Beckman plans to talk to the assistants today.

A busy first weekend will be followed by a week of recruiting. Illinois has 14 commitments for the Class of 2012, and Beckman wants to see them soon.

"Basically, right now, my job is to get the best recruiting class here," Beckman said. "We're a little bit behind schedule."

Beckman plans to recruit Illinois. Plenty.

"The Chicago area, the St. Louis area and this fine state plays tremendous high school football and will be recruited very heavily by this coaching staff," Beckman said.

The Illini leave Dec. 26 for the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Beckman plans to be at the game and will spend as much time as possible in California.

"Vic (Koenning) has done a great job leading this team," Beckman said.