Written By: NMSU Athletic Dept.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - New Mexico State Athletics Director Dr. McKinley Boston has confirmed that DeWayne Walker will be introduced as the Aggies’ 33rd head football coach on Wednesday morning. A news conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) in the Stan Fulton Athletics Center on the third floor. The news conference will be streamed live on the New Mexico State Athletics website, www.nmstatesports.com.

Walker has been a part of the coaching ranks for 21 years at both the collegiate and professional levels. Most recently, Walker was in his third season as UCLA’s defensive coordinator. In addition, he served as UCLA’s interim head coach for the 2007 Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl game. Walker, who excelled at coaching defenses for three different organizations in the National Football League prior to coming to UCLA, has established himself as one of the top defensive minds in the collegiate game. His professional coaching resume includes stops with the Washington Redskins, New York Giants and the New England Patriots.

Walker’s Bruin defenses ranked 33rd, 29th and 48th in the nation that past three seasons. In 2008, UCLA’s passing defense was among the nation’s leaders, ranking 11th overall by holding its opponents to just 167.6 yards per game through the air.
Walker replaces Hal Mumme, who was the Aggies’ head coach from 2005-08.

STATEMENT FROM UCLA HEAD COACH RICK NEUHEISEL REGARDING THE HIRING OF DEWAYNE WALKER AS HEAD COACH AT NEW MEXICO STATE

"I am thrilled for DeWayne and his family. It's an exciting time for New Mexico State and an exciting time for UCLA, because one of our coaches has earned the opportunity to be a head coach. I have no doubt he will enjoy success at New Mexico State."

"DeWayne is a first-class coach and a first-class man who certainly deserves the opportunity to run his own program. DeWayne has been a terrific asset to UCLA, both on and off the field, and he will be missed. I, and the entire UCLA family, thank him for what he has done for our program and wish him well."

"I hope to fill the defensive coordinator position in the next few weeks. Because I felt there was an excellent chance DeWayne would get a head coaching opportunity, I have a list of candidates for the position. Nothing will occur until the staff reconvenes on Sunday and we discuss the candidates together. Our first priority is to continue to build an outstanding recruiting class."