Lewis Walker was hired as Monmouth's Defensive Coordinator in January 2024. The 2025 season will be Walker's seventh as an assistant coach on Kevin Callahan's staff and second as Defensive Coordinator.
While Monmouth’s offense garnered much of the spotlight in 2024, the defense played a crucial role in the team’s success, making key stops and producing standout individual performances throughout the season. Deuce Lee's strip and recovery at the goal line sealed the program's first-ever FBS victory, a thrilling 45-42 win over FIU, and the Hawks capped the year by knocking off two ranked opponents. Linebacker Ryan Moran anchored the defensive unit, earning Third Team All-CAA honors, while defensive tackle Isaiah Rogers dominated the trenches, securing Honorable Mention All-CAA recognition.
Walker previously coached five years at Monmouth as the defensive backs coach during the program’s most successful era, from 2017-21. The Hawks made three FCS playoff appearances during Walker’s time on staff before he went to national powerhouse North Dakota State to coach the Bison cornerbacks for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
In Fargo, Walker helped North Dakota State advance to the 2022 FCS National Championship Game and the 2023 FCS National Semifinals. The Bison led the FCS with 21 interceptions and were top 10 in the country in total defense during the 2023 season.
During Walker's first stint at Monmouth he was in charge of Monmouth's defensive backs where he mentored at least two All-Big South selections, including at least one first team choice, in every season.
In 2021, Walker coached Anthony Budd and Eddie Morales III to First Team All-Big South honors, while Tyrese Wright collected Second Team recognition.
Monmouth's Spring 2021 Big South Championship campaign saw three Hawks earn First Team accolades as Budd, Morales III and Justin Terry hauled in All-Big South awards.
Three Hawks grabbed All-Big South honors in 2019. Tymere Berry (First Team), Budd (First Team) and Terry (Second Team) represented the Monmouth defensive backs on the all-conference squads.
In 2018, Berry and Terry each landed on the All-Big South Teams, garnering First and Second Team honors, respectively.
In his first season of 2017, Walker coached a pair of First Team picks in Mike Basile and Teddie Martinez, while Berry secured Second Team honors. Basile's performance also earned him a share of Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors, he was named an FCS ADA All-American and finished sixth in the Buck Buchanon Award (FCS Top Defensive Player) voting. An academic standout, Basile was named to the Big South All-Academic Team and the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team. In addition, fifth year senior corner Kamau Dumas was the conferences first team selection at punt returner.
Walker, a former defensive back for the University of Hawaii and University of Utah, came to West Long Branch after a brief stint at Sacred Heart. Walker spent the previous two seasons as a defensive assistant at Columbia University.
During his two seasons at Columbia he served as the safeties coach and defensive assistant, also working with the Lions’ punt and kick return units. Prior to joining the Lions’ staff, Walker was the secondary coach and special teams coordinator at Copper Hills High School in Jordan, Utah.
Walker was a defensive back for two seasons at the University of Hawaii, appearing in 24 games for the Warriors before transferring to Utah. While with the Utes he appeared in 12 games, helping the team to an 8-5 record and a Sun Bowl victory in 2011. He graduated in fall of 2013 with a degree in communications. Walker played his high school football at Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.
