Used to be a hot name as DC. Back in 2008 a lot of people here wanted him over Chavis. He went on to become HC at New Mexico State and it didn't work out, but that doesn't take away from his resume as a defensive coach. The guy did well as DC under a mediocre-at-best HC at UCLA. Remember him owning that vastly superior USC squad in '06? Also has NFL experience under Joe Gibbs.

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In 2008, Walker guided the Bruin defense to a 48th ranking in the nation in total defense, allowing 337 yards a game. UCLA's passing defense was atop the nation's leaders ranking 11th overall and second in the Pac-10, holding its opponents to just 167.6 yards per game through the air.

In 2007, the Bruin defense once again found itself listed among the national leaders in several categories. UCLA ranked 14th in rushing defense (109.2 yards per game), 29th in total defense (343.23 yards), 29th in scoring defense (22.3 points) and 32nd in pass efficiency defense (115.26). The Bruins also ranked second nationally in tackles for loss per game (8.77), third in third-down conversion defense (29.1%), tied for 15th in sacks per game average (3.0) and tied for 17th in fumbles caused (14). Defensive backs Trey Brown (tied for first, 1.77/pg) and Alterraun Verner (tied for 11th, 1.46/pg) ranked among the nation's best in the passes defended category, while defensive end Bruce Davis ranked tied for ninth in the nation in sacks per game (.92).

In 2006, the Bruins were among the national leaders in rushing defense (tied for ninth in the NCAA and tied for first in the Pac-10 with 91.08 yards per game) and total defense (33rd nationally at 304.83) and allowed almost half as many touchdowns (27) as the previous year (48). UCLA allowed 91.1 yards per game, 2.83 yards per rush and just nine touchdowns on the ground, the first time since 1985 that the Bruins had allowed fewer yards per game on the ground. The Bruin defense also ranked fifth nationally in third-down conversion defense (28.4%, 50 of 176). Walker joined the Bruins from the Washington Redskins, where he had coached the secondary, specifically the cornerbacks, the previous two seasons (2004-05) under head coach Joe Gibbs and highly-respected defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. In 2005, the Washington Redskins won 10 of 16 regular-season games, including their final five straight, to earn a wild-card berth in the playoffs. Washington defeated Tampa Bay in Florida, before dropping a 20-10 decision to the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks on the road.

The Washington Redskins ranked No. 1 among the NFL's 32 teams in lowest opponent passing percentage (54.4%). In addition, they also ranked second (tied) in fewest touchdown passes allowed (15), 10th in pass defense (192.6 yards) and 14th (tied) in interceptions (16). Walker played a key role in the development of rookie cornerback Carlos Rogers and the continued fine play of Shawn Springs. In 2004, his first year in Washington, Springs became the first cornerback in NFL history to lead his team in sacks (five) and interceptions (six) in the same season and finished the year with 69 tackles. He also tutored veterans Walt Harris and Fred Smoot in that first year.

This post was edited on 1/12/15 at 9:24 pm