Curtis Walker Position: Head Coach Alma Mater: Catawba '92 E-mail: cjwalker@catawba.edu Office Phone: (704) 637-4724

Curtis Walker became the Head Football Coach at Catawba in December of 2012.  He returns to his alma mater after spending one season as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Western Carolina University.  Prior to his year in Cullowhee, Walker spent 10 years as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Coastal Carolina University.

During Walker's 10 seasons in Conway, the Chanticleers had four players on the defensive side garner All-America accolades, while players within his defense earned a combined 44 All-Big South accolades as the Chanticleers captured three straight Big South Conference titles (2004-06).  Coastal also won the league championship in 2010.

Under Walker, Coastal led the league in pass defense in 2006, '07 and `08.  On the strength of 18 interceptions in `07, the Chanticleers 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. Coastal twice led the nation in interceptions, getting 19 in 2006 and 27 in 2004.

Walker was a four-year starter and three-time All-American linebacker for Catawba in 1989-92, graduating in 1992 with a degree in sociology.  He was inducted into the Catawba Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2008.  Walker was Catawba’s team most valuable player in 1991 and served as team captain in 1992.

Walker still holds the Catawba single game record for tackles with 25 stops against Wofford in 1991.  He also still owns the all-time single season record for fumble recoveries with six, also set in 1991.  Walker earned All-America honors his final three seasons, including first team accolades as a senior in 1992. 

Following graduation from Catawba and a two-year coaching period at Salisbury High School, Walker joined the staff at Catawba in 1995.  He coached the linebackers and began coordinating all recruiting in 1997.  Walker was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2001 and the Indians were ranked first in Division II in scoring defense and 15th in total defense.

At Catawba, Walker was a part of three South Atlantic Conference championships (1996, 2000 and 2001) and three NCAA playoff appearances (1999, 2000 and 2001).  The Indians were a combined 22-3 in 2000-01, a lot of the success due to a suffocating defense. Catawba allowed just 13.5 points per game during those 25 games.

A native of Burlington, NC, Walker was a two-time football all-conference performer at Graham High School, prior to graduating in 1988.  He was the Mid-State Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.

Walker and his wife, Sheka, have two sons; Jalon (8) and Curtis II (6).