Jan. 7, 2008

Press Conference 

MEMPHIS, TENN. - University of Memphis head coach Tommy West announced today that he has recommended the hiring of former Tiger assistant coach Tim Walton to the Tennessee Board of Regents. Walton will serve as defensive coordinator, a position he held at the University of Miami in 2007.

"I am very excited that Tim has made the decision to come back to Memphis," said West. "I want the swagger back in Memphis defense. Tim Walton is my guy to get that done."

Walton, 36, spent the last four seasons (2004-07) with the Hurricanes and was promoted to defensive coordinator in February of 2007. The squad ranked 33rd nationally in total defense this past season. In his first three seasons at Miami, he directed the defensive backs and the secondary ranked ninth in the nation in pass defense in 2004, first in 2005 and 40th in 2006. He coached three All-Americans and two Freshman All-Americans during that time.

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.

"I appreciate Tommy giving me the opportunity to return to Memphis," said Walton. "I am looking forward to leading this Tiger defense and bringing the excitement back."

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).

During his career, Walton has coached four first-round draft picks and seven players who were selected in later rounds.

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. He 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.

Walton's Coaching Career
2007	University of Miami (Defensive coordinator/DBs)
2004-06 	University of Miami (defensive backs)
2003 	Louisiana State University (defensive backs)
2002 	Syracuse University (defensive backs)
2000-01 	University of Memphis (defensive backs)
1999 	Bowling Green State University (defensive backs)
1996-98 	Bowling Green State University (running backs)
1995 	Bowling Green State University (graduate assistant)