Walker Resigns | Accepts Head Position at BG

University of Findlay women's soccer coach Jimmy Walker has resigned his post to take the head coaching position at Bowling Green State University.

"Findlay is a fantastic place to work," said Walker. "I would like to thank the administration and especially the young ladies on the soccer team for giving me plenty of fond memories that I will forever cherish. I am also very excited about the future of the Oilers program and thrilled about my new challenge of coaching the Falcons."

Walker, who was named the 2019 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Coach of the Year after leading the Oilers to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time in school history, ends his two-year tenure at Findlay with a record of 25-7-4.

Walker took over the Oilers program in 2018 and led the Oilers to a six-win improvement from the 2017 season as Findlay finished with an 11-4-2 record. He then led Findlay to their first G-MAC regular season title in 2019. During the 2019 campaign, Walker guided Findlay to an opening round win in the national tournament before falling in the second round to the University of Indianapolis. His team wrapped up the season with a 14-3-2 mark, the most victories for the Oilers women's soccer program since they won 15 during the 1997 campaign.

In his brief stint at Findlay, Walker coached five all-Midwest Region players and ten all-conference performers. He also coached a pair of G-MAC Freshman of the Year athletes as Olivia Frank won the award in 2018 before Jayla Campbell picked up the honor in 2019.

"I'd like to thank Jimmy for his leadership, effort, and enthusiasm towards creating a new standard of excellence for our women's soccer program," said UF director of athletics Brandi Laurita. "We wish the very best for Jimmy and his family and will work to hire an individual who will be able to build upon our successes."

Walker is no stranger to the NCAA Division I level as he served as head women's soccer coach at Duquesne University from 2003-06 and as an associate head coach for the men's program at Penn State University from 2007-09. After his time at Penn State, Walker was the executive director at the Pacesetter Soccer Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Oilers assistant coach Dani Johnson will be following Walker to Bowling Green as well. Johnson has served as an assistant coach for the Oilers in each of the past two seasons. She came to Findlay after a four-year playing career at Grand Valley State University where she was a NCAA Division II All-American. She helped lead the Lakers to national championship wins in 2014 and 2015 as well as a national runner-up finish in 2016.