Texas Tech University Athletics
Chris Walker Joins Red Raiders Men's Basketball Coaching Staff
June 15, 2011 | Men's Basketball
June 15, 2011
Coach Walker & Coach Gillispie Interview
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie has announced that Chris Walker has been named associate head coach for the Red Raiders after spending the two previous seasons at Villanova.
Walker is the most recent addition to Gillispie's coaching staff, after Gillispie retained Chris Beard, who will enter his 10th season as an assistant for the Red Raiders in 2011-12.
"We are pleased and excited to have Chris Walker join our staff," said Gillispie. "Chris is one of the best people, best recruiters and best coaches that I know."
Walker, 41, helped Villanova to a 46-20 overall record the past two seasons while making back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament. He returned to his alma mater in June 2009 after spending two seasons on the coaching staff at New Mexico.
"From the moment I took the job, he was one of my top targets because he is a relationship builder," noted Gillispie. "He has tremendous relationships not only in Texas but across the country. He develops great relationships within the program and the community and that pays off in so many ways. I think this was a great move for Chris and it's definitely a great move for Texas Tech."
Known as a top-notch recruiter, Walker was instrumental in `Nova signing several of the top prep players in the nation leading up to the 2010-2011 season.
"Although I am leaving my alma mater and great friend Coach Wright, I am thrilled and excited to join Billy Gillispie and the Texas Tech Basketball family," said Walker. "I am humbled by this opportunity and being back in Texas makes it even more special."
Walker had a previous stint with the Wildcats as an assistant in 2000-01, on the staff of former head coach Steve Lappas before joining Lappas at Massachusetts.
A native of Houston, Walker first gained notice as a star basketball player during his time at Milby High School. As a senior in 1988, he set Milby's career scoring record (1,800 points) and was named First-Team All-State for the second time and was a runner-up for Texas Mr. Basketball. Additionally, he earned All-America honors from Converse and Street and Smith's Magazine.
Walker has also made coaching stops at Pepperdine, Vanderbilt and Loyola Marymount.
His two-seasons on the New Mexico sideline were highlighted with consecutive postseason appearances in the NIT while posting back-to-back 20-win seasons with a 24-9 record in his first season at New Mexico in 2007-08 and with a 22-12 record in 2008-09. New Mexico tallied a 23-9 Mountain West Conference record with Walker as an assistant.
A Villanova graduate of 1992, Walker played his college basketball for the Wildcats under head coach Rollie Massimino. He played 96 games at point guard while helping lead Villanova to a pair of NCAA Tournaments and to a pair of trips to the National Invitational Tournament. His 404 career assists remain in the top 15 in the school's all-time record book. He was twice chosen to the All-Philadelphia Big Five squad and still holds the NCAA Southeast Region record for most three-pointers attempted in a game (20 vs. LSU in 1990).
CHRIS WALKER COACHING EXPERIENCE
- Villanova (2009-2011) - Assistant Coach
- New Mexico (2007-2009) - Assistant Coach
- UMass (2001-2005) - Assistant Coach
- Villanova (2000-2001) - Assistant Coach
- Pepperdine (1999-2000) - Associate Head Coach
- Vanderbilt (1996-1999) - Associate Head Coach
- Loyola Marymount (1992-1996) - Assistant Coach
