The Tim Brewster era at the University of Minnesota has officially begun.

The new head coach spoke passionately about recruiting, excitement about the position and bringing a Big Ten title back to the people of Minnesota during his inaugural news conference at McNamara Alumni Center on Wednesday.

Athletics Director Joel Maturi announced the 21-year coaching veteran as the coach of the next era of Gophers football.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the storied history of Golden Gopher football,” Maturi said. “We wanted a coach who we believe will energize our students, our alumni and our fans.”

Maturi next announced Brewster’s family, wife Cathy and sons Clint and Nolan. Next was Brewster, who was greeted by a roar of applause from a group of onlookers who took advantage of the event, which was open to the public.

“Gopher fans, your football coach at the University of Minnesota,” Maturi said.

Brewster, 46, began his speech by explicitly laying out his expectations for the program in the coming years.

“My expectations from day one is to win the Big Ten championship,” he said. “We want to win it now. I’m not interested in any type of rebuilding process.”

It was a bold proclamation from the first-time head coach now put in charge of a program that hasn’t accomplished such a feat in nearly 40 years.

When questioned about his lack of head-coaching experience, Brewster responded by reciting the coaches he has worked alongside with during his career. It’s a list that includes University of Texas head coach Mack Brown, the San Diego Chargers’ Marty Schottenheimer and the Denver Broncos’ Mike Shanahan.

“Some guys prepare to be a head coach every step, every day and I feel like I was one of those guys. I made great decisions about who I worked with,” he said. “I never chased titles, what I chased was knowledge.”

Brewster also spoke at length about his nationally renowned recruiting abilities. He said his philosophy is to keep in-state talents, while using his contacts throughout the country to bring in some of the best recruits to Minnesota.

He added that recruiting to Minnesota will be an easy sell, citing the academic accomplishments of the University, the proximity to two great cities and the new stadium that is slated to open in 2009.

“Every recruit in this state is going to hear a lot about Tim Brewster,” he said. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to get these young guys excited about being a Gopher.”

With the word “passion” peppered throughout his speech, Brewster said it won’t take long for the Minnesota football program to recognize his lofty goals.

“We’re going to take Gophers nation to Pasadena,” he said. “That’s my dream and it will happen here sooner than later.”