Curtis Walker is in his 10th year as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Coastal Carolina University's football program. Under Walker's tutelage, the Coastal Carolina defense helped the Chanticleers capture three consecutive Big South Conference titles in just the program's second, third and fourth seasons of play, with a combined record of 28-6 in that period, a berth in the 2006 NCAA Division I Football Championships and final top-25 rankings in three national polls all three years. Then, in 2010, the defense once again played a key role in Coastal winning its fourth Big South title. Not only was linebacker Andrae Jacobs named Big South Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Big South, but Dominique Davenport was dominant in earning first team All-Conference honors and corner Josh Norman was named first team All-League for the second year. In addition, senior Kent Harper had 10.0 tackles for losses to earn second team All-Big South as well as help Coastal lead the Big South and rank 16th nationally in TFLs (7.50). As a unit, Coastal, which ranked 38th nationally in total defense, held VMI and Presbyterian to just three points each and allowed just 109 total points in league play, which was the determining factor (fewest point allowed in Big South games) in Coastal wining the tie-breaker with Stony Brook and Liberty for the league's automatic bid to the NCAA FCS Championship. From the out-set, Coastal Carolina's defense has set the tone. In the program's first year, it ranked first in the league and eighth nationally in turnover margin, while ranking second in the Big South in total defense. From 2004-07, the Chants' defense has ranked first in the league in pass efficiency defense, while ranking first or second in sacks and tackles for loss from 2005-09, except for 2008 when Coastal ranked third in the Big South in sacks. Also, Coastal has twice led the nation in interceptions, getting 19 in 2006 and 27 in 2004. For the 2009 season, behind the leadership of second team All-Big South pick Desmond Steward, Coach Walker's unit ranked 15th in pass defense, allowing just 160.55 ypg., while six players ranked among the Big South top 20 in interceptions -- getting 21 picks as a unit. Norman led the way in aerial thefts, setting a Big South Record and ranking third nationally with eight interceptions. Coastal led the league in pass defense in 2008, `07 and `06. On the strength on 18 picks in `07, the Chants ranked sixth nationally in turnover margin (1.36). In 2006, Coastal's defense tied for the national lead with 19 interceptions. Walker's defense led the nation in pass efficiency defense and contributed to the top turnover margin in the country, setting a Big South record at plus 22. Individually, defensive back Quinton Teal led the Big South and ranked among the top 15 nationally in interceptions per game (2004-06), earning second team All-American honors from the Associated Press. In 2004, the defense ranked in the top 30 in the country in scoring defense (5th), total defense (21st) and pass defense (22nd). In recognition of the outstanding season, Walker was honored by the All-America Football Foundation with the 2004 Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coaches Award, along with then offensive coordinator Jamie Snider. Also in the 2004 season, the Chanticleers' defense set Big South records in 14 categories and tied the record in another. Among the more significant records set were scoring defense (176), scoring defense average (16.0), total defense per game (313.6 ypg), rushing defense (1,541 yards), fewest rushing touchdowns allowed (9), lowest completion percentage allowed (44.3 percent) and pass efficiency defense (86.8). Walker has served on David Bennett's coaching staff for the past 17 years, spending seven years on the staff at Catawba College. He was the linebackers coach from 1995-2000 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2001, where he served for his final season. As defensive coordinator, the Indians ranked first in the nation in scoring defense, 11th in rushing defense and 22nd in total defense. During his tenure at Catawba, the program made the NCAA Division II playoffs three straight seasons, including a 2001 semifinal berth. Prior to his time at Catawba, Walker got his coaching start at Salisbury High School as the linebackers coach. The 40-year-old native of Burlington, N.C., was a four-year starter and letterwinner at Catawba College. A 2004 inductee into Catawba's Sports Hall of Fame and 2008 inductee into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame, Walker earned All-American honors his final three seasons, including first-team accolades as a senior in 1992 and three-times on the All-South Atlantic Conference First Team. He was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 1991 and served as team captain his senior season. He earned a bachelor's degree in December 1992, majoring in sociology. Walker was a two-time All-Conference selection at Graham High School, earning Mid-State Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1987. A 1988 graduate of the school, he held the school's record for career tackles for 14 years. Walker, his wife, Sheka, and sons. Jalon (6) and Curtis Jr. (3), live in Conway. |
|||||||||||
