UCLA's Walker to be named New Mexico State coach
The Bruins defensive coordinator will become the seventh African American head football coach at the major college level.
DeWayne Walker is expected to soon be announced as the head coach at New Mexico State, ending three seasons as UCLA's defensive coordinator, sources familiar with the situation but not authorized to talk about it said.
The announcement could be made this afternoon.
Walker will become the seventh African American head coach at the NCAA major college level.
Walker will take over a program that has had only four winning seasons since 1967 and has not been to the postseason since the 1960 Sun Bowl. He replaces Hal Mumme, who had an 11-38 record in four seasons.
UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel could not be reached for comment. He said in a statement Monday that he "would consider several candidates," if Walker left. Ken Norton, whom Neuheisel courted last January, said Monday that he would stay at USC as an assistant, but that was before Walker accepted the New Mexico State job.
The Aggies had a 3-9 overall record and were 1-7 in the Western Athletic Conference last season.
Walker has made dramatic improvements before. The Bruins' defense ranked 113th nationally when he arrived after the 2005 season. He developed a speed-based defense that finished 35th nationally during the 2006 season, which included a 13-9 upset of second-ranked USC. UCLA's defense was ranked 48th last season.
Walker was also an effective recruiter who was largely responsible for a talented freshman class that came to UCLA in 2008.
chris.foster@latimes.com
