Brian Walker Returns to Delaware Baseball Coaching Staff as Pitching Coach for 2013 Season
August 16, 2012
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
-lg.jpg)
NEWARK, Del. – Brian Walker (at right) has returned to the University of Delaware baseball coaching staff as pitching coach for the 2013 season, head coach Jim Sherman has announced.
Walker, who also served as the Blue Hen pitching coach for four seasons in 2007-10, rejoins a staff led by Sherman, associate head coach Dan Hammer, and assistant coach Mel Bacon.
“We are very fortunate to have Brian back on our staff," said Sherman. “He comes with tremendous experience. He did a great job for us in the past and we expect just the same this time. Brian pitched at the highest level of college baseball and won two College World Series while at Miami (Fla.). That's good for our program and and really helps us in recruiting."
“I’m very happy to be back with the University of Delaware baseball program and working with Coach Sherman,” Walker stated. “My first experience with the Blue Hens was enjoyable and I want to continue to recruit outstanding student-athletes and improve on the high expectations the program already possesses.”
Returning after a stint with the All-Star Baseball Academy in Pennsylvania, Walker handled the reigns as pitching coach for the University of Delaware from 2006 through 2010, helping the Blue Hens to three winning seasons and two Colonial Athletic Association Tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2007.
During Walker's first tenure leading the UD pitching staff, the Blue Hens tied a 24-year school record that was set in 1983 as three Blue Hen pitchers were selected in the 2007 Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Billy Harris went in the 25th round to the Philadelphia Phillies, Chad Kerfoot was the Oakland Athletics’ choice in the 30th round, and Mike McGuire was selected in the 46th round by the Cincinnati Reds.
A native of Miami, Fla., Walker compiled a 26-5 record in three seasons as a left-handed pitcher at Miami (Fla.) and was drafted in the fourth round of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets. He spent five seasons in the Mets’ organization, splitting time between Brooklyn, Capital City, and St. Lucie.
During his time with the Mets organization, Walker compiled a 17-13 record with a 3.66 earned-run average and 212 strikeouts in 244 innings pitched. During his collegiate career, Walker was a member of two College World Series championship teams, helping the Hurricanes win it all as a freshman in 1999 and as a junior in 2001. As a sophomore in 2000, he posted a 12-2 record with 88 strikeouts in 99 innings. He followed up his outstanding sophomore season by going 12-1 for the national champion Hurricanes, including a win over USC during the College World Series.
The son of Don and Susan Walker of Deland, Fla., Walker earned his degree in criminology from Miami in 2005. Engaged to Alicia Greco and set to wed in the spring, he resides in the Wilmington.
