Tim Walton, who was an assistant coach on the U of M defensive staff in 2000-01, was hired in January 2008 to serve as the Tigers' defensive coordinator. In this capacity, he also will focus heavily on the efforts of the safeties. In the press conference to announce Walton's hiring, coach Tommy West spoke of his excitement to again work with Walton. West explained that he is confident that Walton can "bring the swagger back to the Memphis defense." Walton, 37, spent the last four seasons (2004-07) with the Miami Hurricanes and was promoted to defensive coordinator in February of 2007. The squad ranked 33rd nationally in total defense last season. In his first three seasons at Miami, he directed the defensive backs, and the Miami secondary ranked in the top 10 nationally in pass defense in 2004 (9th) and 2005 (1st). In 2005, Walton's pass defense led the nation, allowing only 152.17 yards per game. He tutored two All-Americans: safety Brandon Meriweather and cornerback Kelly Jennings; and developed Kenny Phillips into a Freshman All-American. Jennings was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round, and the other starter in the 2005 secondary, cornerback Marcus Maxey, was drafted in the fifth round by Kansas City. In addition, Devin Hester went to Chicago in the second round. Phillips was selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. In 2004, Walton coached a secondary unit that ranked ninth in the country. He guided Antrel Rolle, who was named consensus All-American and was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. A 14-year coaching veteran, Walton was at LSU in 2003 and his defensive backs were a key factor in the Tigers earning the 2003 BCS National Championship and a Southeastern Conference title. The LSU defense ranked among the nation's top three in four of five major defensive statistical categories: total defense (first, 252.0 yards per game), scoring defense (first, 11.0 ppg), pass efficiency defense (second, 89.8 rating) and rushing defense (third, 67.0 yards per game). Additionally, LSU ranked 18th nationally in passing yardage defense (185.0 ypg) while leading the SEC in four of the five defensive categories, including a No. 2 ranking in the league in pass defense. A native of Columbus, Ga., Walton previously coached defensive backs while West was defensive coordinator at Memphis in 2000 and remained in the same capacity when West was promoted to head coach for 2001. In his first year with Memphis, the Tigers ranked fifth in the nation in total defense, allowing only 275 yards per game and placed in the top 15 nationally in passing and scoring defense. He also coached two first-team All-Conference USA selections in Idrees Bashir and Michael Stone. Bashir was selected as the 37th overall pick of the 2001 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, while Stone was taken later in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals. Walton left Memphis to coach defensive backs at Syracuse for the 2002 season. During his career, Walton has coached five first-round draft picks and eight players who were selected in later rounds. Walton started his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 1995. He was promoted to running backs coach in 1996 and then moved to coach the defensive backs in 1999. In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Walton has had two summer internships with NFL teams. He spent the summer of 1998 serving as a defensive intern with the Chicago Bears and the summer of 2001 as a defensive intern for the Green Bay Packers. Walton lettered as a defensive back at Ohio State for four seasons and served as co-captain for the Big Ten champions in 1993. During his time with the Buckeyes, OSU went to four bowl games, including the Liberty Bowl in 1990. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from OSU in 1994. Walton and his wife, Tracy, have three children: Trei, Timia and Tyler. Personal Born March 11, 1971 Columbus, Ga. |
Memphis Tigers
|
||||||||||||||
