Tim Walton became the most recent addition to the LSU coaching staff Monday as head coach Nick Saban announced him as the defensive backs coach.
“We thought as a staff that it was important to hire a coach for the defensive side of the football, and Tim gives us someone that has had a great deal of success both coaching and playing in the defensive backfield,” Saban said. “We’re excited to have him join our staff.”
Walton coached defensive backs last season at Syracuse. The Orangemen gave up 303.8 yards per game, while intercepting 10 passes in 2002.
Walton began coaching in 1995 as a defensive graduate assistant at Bowling Green. He coached running backs in 1996 and later moved to defensive backs coach in 1999. Walton also coached defensive backs at Memphis in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
The Grenada, Miss., native graduated from Ohio State in 1994. Walton started two years in the defensive backfield and served as co-captain for the the Buckeyes when OSU earned a share of the Big Ten championship in 1993.
Saban also announced coaching reassignments involving Lance Thompson and Derek Dooley.
“The flexibility of Lance and Derek makes this move possible,” Saban said.
Thompson moved to the position of assistant head coach for the Tigers. He will coach tight ends and act as recruiting coordinator for LSU. Last season Thompson served as the team’s defensive line coach.
Saban believes Thompson will be able to handle the new responsibilities because he served in the same capacity while at Georgia Tech.
Dooley takes on the title of running backs coach as well as special teams coordinator for LSU. He served as recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach for the past three years.
Saban said Dooley has played an important role in recruiting for the past three years and believes he will upgrade the team at his new position.
“His organizational skills as well as his knowledge for the game make his move to coaching running backs and special teams a good fit for us,” Saban said.