Source: Walker wants to stay

A source inside the UCLA football program said earlier today that defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker "wants to stay" and will stay at UCLA unless he is dissatisfied by the contract offer to keep him.

Walker has enjoyed his time at UCLA, likes living in Southern California (he has family in the area) and feels he has not yet completed the job of turning the Bruin defense into the best unit possible. In addition, his son Kevan, has verbally committed to attend UCLA and would be enrolling in the fall.

Assistant coaches Todd Howard (defensive line) and Chuck Bullough (linebackers) have indicated to Walker their interest in staying as well and their enthusiasm for the players coming back for 2008. It is not clear whether new coach Rick Neuheisel, who has reportedly met or spoken with Walker three times, is interested in retaining any of the other assistant coaches.

Comments

[Brad]

Is this the same source who claimed UCLA was interviewing Mike Riley? LOL. I have a source that is a player on the team, that says Walker has already told them he's not coming back

[WalkerGone?]

The Sporting News is reporting that Walker has signed with Washington, so it would appear that he's gone.

Huskies Turn To UCLA Coordinator

[UCLA grad in Seattle]

Reports from Seattle & the Sporting News are that Walker is coming to the University of Washington to coach with Wilingham. He will make more money and be in line for the head coach job if Willingham leaves. Willingham has also recruited one of the best classes in the country for the upcoming year.

[Jon K.]

Dan Guerrero needs to raise the pool of money for assistants to above $2 milliion. Giving UCLA's football program its full support NEEDS to be the number one priority of our athletic department. Period.

[Matt in Westwood]

Walker may be headed to Washington but to me it doens't make a whole lot of sense. Why would Willingham bring in Walker if it was stated he could take over in case Willingham doesn't stay after next season? Why would Willingham bring in his successor? And how is it that Willingham has recruited one of the "best classes in the country"? According to Rivals they are ranked 21st and most of their recruits are 3 stars or less...their class is nowhere near UCLA's if they can hold the majority of it together.

[Dawg53]

Three comments:

1. Why bring in Walker? Because that would give the UW a legitimate DC, and that will guarantee a winning season next year and Ty coming back, so why would he worry about it?
2. Rivals has UW class ranked 21st? Rivals doesn't have a clue - they don't even bother to research anyone on the west coast; they have Kavario Middleton, one of the best tight ends in the nation as 3 stars - does that make sense? Other recruiting sites have the UW's class ranked as high as 7th, but admittedly behind UCLA's right now.
3. Once DeWalk signs on the dotted line, EJ Woods will commit to the UW, which will then move their class ahead of UCLA's...