Track and Field's Joe Walker, Jr. Announces His Retirement

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- After almost a half century of coaching track and field, Joe Walker, Jr. has announced that he will retire from the University of Louisville at the end of June.

"Coach Walker has proven to be a tremendous teacher, mentor, coach, and advisor," said UofL head coach Dale Cowper. "I wish he and his wife, Carolyn Faye, nothing but the best as they approach their next adventure together."

Through Walker's career, his athletes have amassed 15 Division I national titles, 160 All-America distinctions and 116 individual conference titles (71 in the Southeastern Conference; 34 in the Gulf South Conference; 103 in the Atlantic Coast Conference; 1 each in the Big East and American Athletic). Walker has guided his squads to eight collegiate conference crowns, and he helped lead the only high school he ever coached to a state title as well.

"I never wanted to be anything but a coach and I was able to live that life for 49 years of coaching," said Walker. "I want to thank all the schools who hired me, the athletes that I was blessed to coach, and the many coaches and trainers who aided me. It's really been great, but every chapter has to end and I believe it's the right time to stop."

Walker transitioned from a head coaching position to an assistant position in 2012 when he joined the Cardinals' coaching staff to take over the jumps area. In his six seasons with the Cardinals, he produced 12 All-Americans and 13 ACC Champions.

Most recently, he has guided seniors Jerin Allen, Damar Robinson and Javen Reeves to ACC titles and All-American honors in the high jump. Allen and Robinson will compete at the NCAA Championships next month.

"We are grateful to have had Joe's expertise available for our student-athletes," said Athletic Director Vince Tyra. "The results produced over the last six years speak for themselves. Coach Walker has made a tremendous impact upon our track and field program and he will be missed."

Walker has also had success at the international level with two of his athletes winning gold medals in the Olympics. Brittney Reese won in the long jump under his tutelage in 2012, along with five world championship titles and Dennis Mitchell as a member of the 4x100 meter relay.

Several of Walker's former athletes earned medals in international competition. Tony Dees, whom Walker coached in college, won a silver in the Olympics in the 110 meter hurdles. Larry Myricks made four USA Olympic teams and won a bronze medal in the long jump. Savante' Stringfellow garnered a silver medal in the Outdoor World Championships in the long jump. Mike Granger was a member of the USA Junior World Championshp 4x400 meter relay team and Antwon Hicks was World Junior Champion in the 110 meter hurdles.

Walker collected conference team titles at Mississippi College, Florida and was SEC runner-up at Ole Miss. His top NCAA team finishes were third at Florida, fourth in NCAA DII at Mississippi College and two top 10 finishes at Ole Miss.

He earned his bachelor's degree in education from Mississippi College in 1969 and a master's degree in education from there in 1972. He lettered in freshman basketball at Ole Miss and served as a manager on its varsity basketball team as a sophomore. He transferred to Mississippi College, where he lettered in cross country, track and basketball.

Walker and his wife, Faye, have three sons: Joseph III, Brian and Luke.

COACHING CAREER
2012-13-Present: Louisville (assistant coach / jumps)
1988-2012: Ole Miss (head coach)
1985-88: Florida (head coach)
1979-85: Ole Miss (head coach)
1970-79: Mississippi College (head coach)
1969-70: Meridian High School (assistant coach)

NCAA CHAMPIONS
Ole Miss
Outdoor
Long Jump: Brittney Reese (2008)
3,000-Meter Steeplechase: Barnabas Kirui (2007)
Long Jump: Savante' Stringfellow (2000, 2001)
800 Meters: George Kersh (1991)
Long Jump: Ralph Spry (1983)
Indoor
60-Meter Hurdles: Antwon Hicks (2004, 2005)
Long Jump: Savante' Stringfellow (2001)
Long Jump: Brittney Reese (2008)
55 Meters: Greg Saddler (1994)
800 Meters: George Kersh (1991)
Florida
Indoor
200m: Dennis Mitchell (1988)
4x400-Meter Relay (1988)
Mississippi College
Outdoor
Long Jump: Larry Myricks (1979)
Long Jump: Larry Myricks (1976)
Indoor
Long Jump: Larry Myricks (1979)

University of Louisville Athletics

Track and Field's Joe Walker, Jr. Announces His Retirement

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