DeWayne Walker

Position:Defensive Coordinator

Year:Third Season

DeWayne Walker is in his third season as UCLA's defensive coordinator. In addition, he served as UCLA's interim head coach for the 2007 Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl game. Walker, who excelled at coaching defense for three different organizations in the National Football League prior to coming to UCLA, has established himself as one of the top defensive coordinators in the collegiate game.

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/g) and Alterraun Verner (tied for 11th, 1.46/g) ranked among the nation's best in the passes defensed 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 touchowns (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 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 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.

Walker spent the previous two seasons (2002-03) as secondary coach of the New York Giants under coordinator Johnnie Lynn, a former Bruin. Prior to joining the Giants, Walker spent the 2001 season as associate head coach/secondary coach at USC under Pete Carroll and was the first staff member hired by Carroll. That season, the Trojans ranked seventh nationally with 19 interceptions and also ranked 16th nationally in pass defense (179.2 yards) and 16th (tied) in fewest touchdown passes allowed (11).

He also served as secondary coach of the New England Patriots for three seasons, the first two (1998 and 1999) under Carroll and the third (2000) under Bill Belichick. During his tenure with the Patriots, defensive backs Ty Law and Lawyer Milloy each earned trips to the Pro Bowl. Walker began his coaching career at Mt. San Antonio College (1988-92), serving as secondary coach for four seasons before becoming defensive coordinator in 1992. He then gained valuable experience by coaching at Utah State (1993), BYU (1994), Oklahoma State (1995) and California (1996-1997) before moving to the Patriots. At Cal, he tutored future NFL performers Kato Serwanga and Marquis Smith.

He also participated in the NFL's minority coaching internship program, working with the San Francisco 49ers in 1996 and the Patriots in 1997. A former cornerback himself, Walker played three seasons professionally - one in the CFL (Edmonton Eskimos in 1982) and two in the USFL (Oakland Invaders in 1984 and Arizona Outlaws in 1985). In college, he was a two-year starter at Minnesota (1980-81) after playing at Pasadena City College for two years. Walker earned his bachelor's degree from Regents College.

RECRUITING RESPONSIBILITIES -- Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley.

n.f.l. experience, learned under some very respected defensive minds. Has had success with an average to below average teams.

This post was edited on 12/3/08 at 9:09 am