The DeWayne Walker era has begun as New Mexico State football looks to rebuild one of the worst programs in the nation, according to ESPN.*
Backed by an impressive resumé with coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels, Walker takes the helm of a football program that has had only a handful of winning seasons in the last 50 years.
"My vision is all about executing a solid program, coaches, and solid young men,"
Walker said. "It's all about having a solid formula. Anything that has to do with winning, we need to make it bullet proof."
Walker has spent the last two years serving as defensive coordinator for UCLA. Prior to his stint as defensive coordinator for the Bruins, Walker was defensive backs coach for the University of California and University of Southern California. He also coached defensive backs in the NFL for the New England Patriots, Washington Redskins and New York Giants. (2002-05)
His years of coaching in both college and the NFL have garnered him accolades from some of the finest coaches in football.
Former Indianapolis Colts Head Coach and Super Bowl XLI winner Tony Dungy said Walker is a very bright, young coach who has an outstanding future.
"DeWayne has done a good job in his NFL career and during his tenure at UCLA,"
Dungy said. "I fully expect he would be an outstanding addition to the New Mexico State program."
The New Mexico State football program, which has failed to make it to a Bowl game in nearly 50 years, has developed a culture of losing and was in jeopardy of losing its Division I status in 2008.
Walker said the best way to change the culture of losing at NMSU is to be aggressive.
"I don't want to say that two years down the road we are going to be successful,"
Walker said. "I want to be successful now, and I think that the coaching staff and the system will be a big part of that."
Recruiting will be an issue for Walker who has already had two players transfer to other schools after hearing of his hiring. Prospective starting quarterback for 2009, J.J. McDermott, and wide receiver LaVorick Williams have announced their plans to transfer to other schools after the firing of Hal Mumme.
Walker said his strong ties to California will help bring fresh talent to NMSU.
"No question about it, California's my comfort zone,"
Walker said. "But New Mexico, California, Arizona and Texas are going to be states that we hit really hard."
