UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: WALKER AGREES; NORTON DOESN'T.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer Washington Redskins College playing career Walker was a two-year starter at the University of Minnesota and played at Pasadena City College for two years. has agreed to become UCLA's new defensive coordinator, sources said Sunday. Walker was makings arrangements Sunday evening to leave Washington, where he spent the past two seasons under highly regarded Redskins Redskins can refer to:
An announcement could be made as early as today, which would be an opportune time since national letter of intent day for high school seniors is Wednesday. UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX has been without a defensive coordinator since Larry Kerr was fired Jan. 17. Meanwhile, Ken Norton Jr., a former All-American and teammate of current UCLA coach Karl Dorrell at UCLA, turned down a job offer, perhaps to pursue an NFL NFL abbr. National Football League NFL (US) n abbr (= National Football League) → Fußball-Nationalliga job, sources said. Norton is USC's linebackers coach, and coaching at UCLA's archrival arch·ri·val n. A principal rival. rankled many Bruins fans. But the wooing of Norton was important since he and Dorrell appeared to have a falling out two years ago. When Dorrell was hired three years ago, Norton was one of his biggest supporters, even attending the introductory news conference. However, the relationship became strained when Norton sought a position on UCLA's staff. Initially, Norton previously said he was told he didn't have any experience. After spending a year as a high school assistant, Norton went back to Dorrell for a job, but was rebuffed. Norton wound up at rival USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. as a graduate assistant, and was promoted to full-time assistant last February. Walker has seven years of NFL coaching experience, which was a high priority for Dorrell. In his first three seasons, none of UCLA's defensive assistants had NFL experience, and that became an issue in recruiting, according to sources. Walker is expected to hire at least one assistant coach, and possibly more. As had been previously reported, defensive line coach Thurmond Moore is not expected to return. Walker also has a taste for the USC-UCLA rivalry. He worked with USC coach Pete Carroll with the New England Patriots  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled until (UTC) due to vandalism. , and was
Carroll's first hire at USC. Walker also spent a year working under
current Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
But after spending a year as Carroll's associate head coach and secondary coach, Walker went back to the NFL and spent two seasons with the New York Giants
While coaching with the Patriots, defensive backs Lawyer Milloy and Ty Law each earned trips to the Pro Bowl. UCLA begins spring practice Feb. 21, which would give the new defensive staff three weeks to put in a new system. Brian Dohn, (818) 713-3607 brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: DeWAYNE WALKER Washington Redskins secondary coach is expected to take over as Bruins defensive coordinator. |
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