Ordell Walker named head football coach at Greenville College
By B.J. Schneck
GREENVILLE, Ill. -- It did not take long for Greenville College to settle on its newest head football coach. After a one-month search, Greenville College has announced that it has selected Ordell Walker as its sixth head football coach effective immediately. Walker has been leading the program on an interim basis since December 22.
Walker, who served as assistant head coach since 2004, has been a member of Greenville's coaching staff since 2003. In the 2009 season, Greenville posted a record of 7-3, won the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference south division, and qualified for the program's second National Christian College Athletic Association Victory Bowl.
"Though the pool had strong candidates, Ordell stood out," said vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college Randy Bergen. "It was very clear to everyone - from the president to members of the Dean's Council to the entire search committee - that he was the ideal choice to lead the football team. In this year of enrollment challenges, Ordell has qualities that will help the entire college grow."
Under Walker's direction, Greenville led the UMAC in total defense, rushing defense, pass defense efficiency, interceptions, total takeaways, sacks, and kickoff coverage in 2009. In addition, the Panther defensive unit had seven UMAC first team players, headlined by linebacker Garrett Young, the UMAC South defensive player of the year.
Over the past seven seasons, Walker recruited players from 14 states, including players who appeared in NCAA Division III national rankings for interceptions and punting average.
Walker, a member of the American Football Coaches Association, is also a member of the AFCA Division III assistant coaches committee. Prior to his tenure at Greenville, Walker coached the defensive line at Trinity International University in 2002 after serving as a physical education teacher in North Chicago for two years.
Walker earned a bachelor of arts in physical education from Trinity International University in 1999 and completed a master of science in sports management from American Public University in 2008.