DeWayne Walker knows what he can control.
For most of his career, Walker worked in obscurity as an assistant football coach for several universities and NFL teams. He has built a reputation as a savvy defensive coordinator in three seasons at UCLA but has never sought the spotlight. He speaks frankly to reporters and preaches work ethic to his players. Many of the Bruin defenders view him as a father figure.
And even this week, after he was mentioned as a possible candidate for head coaching openings at New Mexico State, San Diego State and Utah State, Walker has kept a remarkably calm, pragmatic perspective.
“I don’t try to read into it,” he said. “Until they start hiring, I’m not going to get really excited.”
Walker said he has not heard anything that would lead him to believe he is a leading candidate at any school.
He also said it is hard to feel confident because of the color his skin.
Two of the five black head coaches in college football lost their jobs in the past month: Washington’s Tyrone Willingham and Mississippi State’s Sylvester Croom.
Only three others remain: Miami’s Randy Shannon, Buffalo’s Turner Gill and Houston’s Kevin Sumlin. Walker would be the fourth if he’s hired.
“People throwing my name around and all that, that’s flattering,” he said. “But when you look at how many black coaches there are, it’s hard to get excited.”
Walker came to UCLA in 2006, and in that season, the Bruin defense allowed half as many touchdowns as it had the year before. Opponents averaged just 91 yards rushing per game against UCLA.
And in the most important game of that season, Walker’s defense surrendered only nine points to USC. The Bruins won that game, 13-9, and became the first team to hold USC to under 10 points since 2001.
“DeWayne Walker is a really good football coach,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “He knows what he’s doing and he’s had success. He has a lot of stuff up his sleeve and a great background. His style of defense can really cause problems.”
There have been flaws ““ Walker’s defenses have sometimes struggled against spread offenses and in the prevent formation at the end of games ““ but overall, the defensive unit has been the strength of UCLA teams the past three seasons.
When UCLA fired coach Karl Dorrell a year ago, Athletic Director Dan Guerrero named Walker interim head coach. Guerrero also interviewed Walker as a possible replacement for Dorrell but ultimately chose Rick Neuheisel.
Still, Walker stayed in Westwood and joined Neuheisel’s staff.
This season hasn’t always been pretty ““ the Bruins were thrashed at Brigham Young and couldn’t stop Fresno State in the final minutes ““ but the defense has steadily improved and clearly outperformed the UCLA offense.
And the players Walker coaches may be his staunchest supporters.
“He’s like my father; he’s why I’m progressing,” freshman safety Rahim Moore said. “I’m glad just to get one year with him. If he ends up leaving … I’ll miss him, just like everybody else would, but I know that he’ll spread his knowledge and love to other players. He’s a wise man.”
“He’s a great guy,” sophomore defensive tackle Brian Price said. “I hope doors open up for him and his family. … I would wish the best to him if he moves on.”
After practice Tuesday, Walker said he was aware of the situation at Utah State, where defensive coordinator Gary Anderson has reportedly been invited for a second interview. He said it’s not fun to hear his name floated without receiving any offers.
“I’m just going to keep coaching, keep working,” Walker said. “Hopefully it will work out one day, but if not, I’m happy being here at UCLA.”
His confidence is obvious, though. He believes he can assume the extra burden of running a program and he’s already known to be one of UCLA’s best recruiters. He said the month he spent as interim head coach last season was a good learning experience.
“There’s no doubt in my mind I can do it,” he said “I just have to be given the opportunity.”
But Walker knows that whether or not that opportunity comes, or how soon, are things he cannot control.
When asked earlier this week if he thought that Saturday may be his last game at UCLA, he paused and said “not really.”
“No jobs have been offered,” he said.