UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker will be named the next coach of the New Mexico State University football team, New Mexico State Athletics Director McKinley Boston confirmed this afternoon.
Walker leaves UCLA after three years of leading the defense. Prior to his stint at UCLA, Walker served as the secondary coach for three NFL teams, including the Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, and New York Giants, as well as other college teams such as Oklahoma State and Cal.
This year, UCLA’s passing defense ranked 11th, holding its opponents to just 167.6 yards per game through the air.
UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel commented on Walker’s naming as New Mexico State coach.
“DeWayne is a first-class coach and a first-class man who certainly deserves the opportunity to run his own program," Neuheisel said in a statement. "DeWayne has been a terrific asset to UCLA, both on and off the field, and he will be missed. I, and the entire UCLA family, thank him for what he has done for our program and wish him well."
Neuheisel will use the next few weeks to find a replacement for defensive coordinator, and hopes to fill the vacancy soon; he said he has some prospects in mind.
“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. Our first priority is to continue to build an outstanding recruiting class.”
Walker will be introduced at a news conference on Wednesday morning. The news conference will be streamed live on the New Mexico State Athletics Web site, nmstatesports.com. It will begin at 10 a.m. Mountain Time.