Coach Walker to take Head Coaching position at BGSU

Collin Frazier

Frazierc@findlay.edu

@Collin_53

 

After a very successful two years that included two freshmen of the year awards, a G-MAC Coach of the Year award, a G-MAC regular-season championship, and making the NCAA D-II Women’s Soccer Tournament, Head Coach Jimmy Walker is moving on from UF to take the same position at Bowling Green State University. With a record of 25-7-4, The Oilers will greatly miss Walker. Athletic Director, Brandi Laurita, has nothing but fondness when she thinks of Walker and his time spent at UF.

“Coach Jimmy Walker, although his time here at The University of Findlay was short has left us with so many memories. My fondest memory of Coach Walker was the evening when it was announced that we would be hosting the NCAA DII Regional, for the first time in school history,” said Laurita. “I think he was more excited than the ladies on the team were, to see his face and the pure emotion involved will forever be a great memory.”

In a release found on the Findlay Athletics page, Walker shared the same sentiment as Laurita. Walker will surely miss coaching the Oilers but is excited for not only his own future at BGSU, but the future of UF’s program as well.

“Findlay is a fantastic place to work,” said Walker. “I would like to thank the administration and especially the young ladies on the soccer team for giving me plenty of fond memories that I will forever cherish. I am also very excited about the future of the Oilers program and thrilled about my new challenge of coaching the Falcons.”

Laurita, more than anything else, will miss Walker’s personality and the way he carried himself as the coach of the program.

“I will miss Coach Walker’s sense of humor and genuine compassion more than anything else, said Laurita. “The quality, [he was] genuine, [was] second to none. Coach Walker has been such a blessing to the Women’s Soccer Program and has provided us with a foundation for future success.”

Even with the news of Walker leaving UF, Laurita and the rest of the athletic department is already on the hunt for their next coach of the women’s team.

 “The position has been approved for posting and despite the posting not officially being out, applications and resumes for the position have already started coming in. I am hopeful we will be able to find a new coach who possesses some of the same strengths as Coach Walker and some new attributes soon,” said Laurita. “[We are looking for someone with good] leadership, genuine care and concern for our team and the wellbeing of the ladies, a strong soccer knowledge with the ability to motivate will be essential in the new coach.”

Laurita, once again, greatly appreciates all Walker has done for the program and hopes he is just as successful at BGSU as he was here at UF.

“We wish Coach Walker nothing but the best at BGSU. He is going to do great things there and will continue to make us proud in his new venture,” said Laurita. “He may be wearing a new orange, but he will always be part of our Oiler family.

 

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