Matt Walker '99 Takes Reins of Tiger Football Program

June 15, 2006

June 15, 2006, Greencastle, Ind. - Tim Rogers today resigned as DePauw University's head football coach, effective immediately. Matt Walker, a six-year assistant coach for the Tigers and 1999 DePauw graduate and former starting quarterback, will guide the team during the 2006 season.

Robby Long, who came to DePauw in 2004 after two seasons assisting the University of Illinois football team, will serve as assistant head coach for the black and gold this coming season. Long will continue to serve as the director of student-athlete recruiting.

"From a timing standpoint this is very challenging, but I'm confident that our football program won't miss a beat as it continues preparations for the 2006 season," says Page Cotton, director of athletics at DePauw. "Matt Walker is, as a coach and alumnus, a strong asset to DePauw and its athletic programs. With the assistance of Robby Long, I'm confident our players and our program will be in very good hands."

A native of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Matt Walker (seen at right) also serves as DePauw's head baseball coach and will continue in that capacity. He led the 2001 Tigers to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title and their first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 22 years. Walker joined the DePauw staff as an assistant baseball coach in the fall of 1999 and was named interim head baseball coach in mid-March, 2000. Walker's teams have posted a 171-119 record in his seven seasons. His 171 victories already rank second in school history and his .590 winning percentage is tops among all DePauw baseball coaches with at least three years experience.

While a student, Walker was a three-year member of the DePauw football team, earned a varsity letter during his senior season and was a starter at quarterback as well as a special teams player. As a member of the DePauw baseball team, Walker set the single-season school record with 79 strikeouts in 1999 on the way to winning 10 games which stands as the second-highest season total by a DePauw pitcher. 

Walker earned a master's degree from Indiana State University. He and his wife, Jana and daughter Kraly, reside in Greencastle.

Long (seen at right) served as a graduate assistant on the defensive line for the Illini after earning three varsity letters. He played on the 2001 outright Big Ten champion squad that finished with a 10-2 record and competed in the 2002 Sugar Bowl. He also played on the squad that won the 1999 Micron PC Bowl and finished with an 8-4 record. A native of Champaign, Ill., Long earned a bachelor of science of applied life degree from Illinois.

The Tigers are coming off a 7-2 season. They open their season September 9 when they host Anderson University at Blackstock Stadium.

Visit the football team's official Web site by clicking here.

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