Football | 5/31/2013 10:50:00 AM

Ordell Walker, the 2012 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Coach of the Year, has been named Bluefield College head football coach by BC President Dr. David Olive and Athletic Director Peter Dryer.
 
The appointment was announced and Walker was introduced at a press conference on the campus of Bluefield College, Friday morning. Olive and Dryer each spoke on the hiring of Walker, while Walker also spoke as BC faculty, staff, supporters and local media looked on.
 
Walker takes the reins of the Rams football program after coaching at Greenville College in Greenville, Ill., where he served on staff since 2003 and was head coach since 2010. Last season, Walker led the Panthers to an 8-2 record, an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Co-Championship and a NCCAA Victory Bowl championship. Despite facing a 14-0 halftime deficit in the NCCAA title game, Walker rallied his squad to a 28-27 overtime win.
 
Upon graduating from Trinity International University (NAIA) in 1999 with a B.A. in physical education, Walker remained at the institution where he also played, beginning his career as a defensive line coach. The next two years, Walker served as an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at North Chicago High School. Walker then returned to TIU in 2002, holding the position of defensive line coach once again.

In 2003, Walker began what would be his 11-year career with Greenville College. During this span, Walker served as a position coach (2003-04), a defensive coordinator (2005-10) and an assistant head coach (2004-2010) prior to being named head coach in 2010.  

Walker learned the ins and outs of operating a football program during his time at Greenville, as he worked he way up the coaching ladder. In his earliest days, Walker worked with game film, developed game plans, instructed defensive and special teams student-athletes and organized off-season workouts.
 
As his career continued, Walker was relied upon to create defensive schemes and playbooks, develop punt return and kick off schemes, direct defensive position coaches and coach linebackers. Additionally, once earning the title of assistant head coach, Walker led travel planning, equipment reconditioning and uniform purchasing. On a personal level, Walker led small groups for character development and assisted with student-athletes' academic endeavors.
 
In 2009, Walker's defense led the UMAC in total defense, rushing defense, pass defense efficiency, interceptions, total takeaways, sacks and kick-off coverage. The squad posted a 7-3 record, earned a UMAC South championship and made the program's first NCCAA Victory Bowl appearance.
 
Walker then began to leave his own mark on Greenville football in 2010, as he was named head coach. In addition to preparing and managing the football budget and organizing practice plans, he led monumental steps for the program such as creating of a junior varsity team, implementing a team leadership development plan and leading team service trips. During the creation of the JV program, Walker led the recruiting effort, elevating the roster from 75 student-athletes to 117 in just two years.
 
In his first season at the helm of the program, Walker led the Panthers to a 7-3 record, a UMAC championship and was named UMAC Coach of the Year. Off the field, Walker helped the program raise its grade-point-average from 2.1 to 2.8 during his first full season as head coach.
 
In 2011, Walker's squad posted a 7-4 mark as they once again appeared in the NCCAA Victory Bowl. Walker's fast-paced offense ranked No. 3 nationally (NCAA DIII), with rushing offense ranking No. 5.
  His 2012 team ranked No. 12 in total offense with rushing offense ranking No. 3 at year's end. Six Panthers earned All-UMAC honors, including Offensive Player of the Year.
 
Walker served as the position coach for three UMAC Defensive Player of the Year honorees. Student-athletes that Walker recruited and coached also went on to lead the UMAC in multiple statistical categories, earn All-UMAC honors and hold Greenville career records for tackles and interceptions.
 
In addition to his B.A. degree, Walker holds a M.S. in sport management from American Public University (2008) with a concentration in coaching theory. He is a member for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and has served on the AFCA's D3 Coaches Poll committee.
 
He and his wife, Beth, were married in 2001 and have two sons, Elijah and Levi.
 
Bluefield College President Dr. David Olive quote:
 
“Coach Walker brings not only a demonstrated coaching record of success, but he brings strong character and a purposeful mission of transforming young men's lives.  Our football program will benefit greatly from Coach Walker's vision and focused execution of his championship play and championship lives game plan.”
 
Bluefield College Athletic Director Peter Dryer quote:
 
“We are thrilled to have Coach Walker here at Bluefield College. His philosophy of how a football program should operate is outstanding and fits perfectly with the mission of Bluefield College. On and off the field, he has proven that his game plan works and we are excited to see it played out here with the Rams.”
 
“He is a transformational coach with an intentional approach to see student-athletes succeed in all areas of life. In addition, he brings an exceptional understanding of the game and a strong, unique leadership style to the football program.”
 
Coach Walker at a glance:
 
Greenville College, Greenville, Ill.
Head Coach (22-9 record)....................................................................... 2010-2013
Assistant Head Coach.............................................................................. 2004-2010
Defensive Coordinator............................................................................. 2005-2010
Defensive Backs Coach & Special Teams Coordinator.......................... 2003-2004
 
Trinity International University, Deerfield, Ill.
Defensive Line Coach............................................................................. 1999, 2002
 
North Chicago High School, North Chicago, Ill.
Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator..................................... 2000-2001
 

• 2012 NCCAA Victory Bowl Winner
• Three NCCAA Victory Bowl appearances – two as head coach
• 2012 NCCAA Coach of the Year
• Three UMAC championships
• 2010 UMAC Coach of the Year
• Served as position coach for three UMAC Defensive Player of the Year honorees
• Created junior varsity program at Greenville College