Walker is the new HC at NMSU **

Not really surprising. Seemed like he was getting desperate to get a HC job before he got too old....as long as UCLA doesn't then hire Ken Norton at DC, I'll be happy with Walker being out of UCLA.

good hire for NMSU, i like it better than Cheezit to Auburn

Seems like there is a lot of drama going on right now with Norton and Ricky N...I'd be surprised if he left to go to UCLA after what he said the last couple of days.

if this was Walkers decision i question his thinking. DC at LSU is a way better gig than HC at NMSU. two years here and he could have been HC at big time BCS school. Miami, Texas AM, Auburn will all be on the market soon, and even if hes great NMSU could still suck. here he could have been a household name like Bo was.

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if this was Walkers decision i question his thinking. DC at LSU is a way better gig than HC at NMSU. two years here and he could have been HC at big time BCS school. Miami, Texas AM, Auburn will all be on the market soon, and even if hes great NMSU could still suck. here he could have been a household name like Bo was.

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Chavis>Walker

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Still not seeing confirmation of this in the media. Where did you hear about this hire?

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i heard it on 1210(local) at lunch.

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Not really surprising. Seemed like he was getting desperate to get a HC job before he got too old....as long as UCLA doesn't then hire Ken Norton at DC, I'll be happy with Walker being out of UCLA.

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How Old is he?

Looked young to me

Most coaches don't head gigs until their 40's

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i heard it on 1210(local) at lunch

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buddy???? who's his source??? scott from O O O O Olinde's???

LA Times.com just confirmed the story.

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UCLA's Walker hired by New Mexico State

The Bruins defensive coordinator becomes the seventh African American head football coach at the major college level.

By Chris Foster
December 31, 2008

DeWayne Walker was named head football coach at New Mexico State today, ending three seasons as UCLA's defensive coordinator, the school announced.

He will be introduced Wednesday during a news conference at Las Cruces, N.M.

Walker became the seventh African American head coach at the major college level.

In a statement released by UCLA, Coach Rick Neuheisel said he was "thrilled for DeWayne and his family.

"It's an exciting time for New Mexico State and an exciting time for UCLA, because one of our coaches has earned the opportunity to be a head coach. I have no doubt he will enjoy success at New Mexico State.

"DeWayne is a first-class coach and a first-class man who certainly deserves the opportunity to run his own program."

Neuheisel said he hoped to fill the defensive coordinator position in the next few weeks.

"Because I felt there was an excellent chance DeWayne would get a head coaching opportunity, I have a list of candidates for the position," Neuheisel said. "Nothing will occur until the staff reconvenes on Sunday and we discuss the candidates together."

Ken Norton, whom Neuheisel courted last January, said Monday that he would stay at USC as an assistant, but that was before Walker accepted the New Mexico State job.

At New Mexico State, Walker will take over a program that has had only four winning seasons since 1967 and has not been to the postseason since the 1960 Sun Bowl. He replaces Hal Mumme, who had an 11-38 record in four seasons.

The Aggies had a 3-9 overall record and were 1-7 in the Western Athletic Conference last season.

Walker has made dramatic improvements before. The Bruins' defense ranked 113th nationally when he arrived after the 2005 season. He developed a speed-based defense that finished 35th nationally during the 2006 season, which included a 13-9 upset of second-ranked USC. UCLA's defense was ranked 48th last season.

Walker was also an effective recruiter who was largely responsible for a talented freshman class that came to UCLA in 2008.


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