After a successful coaching career at East Texas Baptist University and Austin Peay State University , Scotty Walden is returning to Texas to lead the University of Texas at El Paso Miners .
Photos by Maddie Rose | APSU Athletics
super energetic , super confident . His teammates followed his lead and he ’ s inspired the same things in his college players .
“ His fire burns bright . He ’ s so passionate . He ’ s a good role model , a good father — he represents what these kids want to be . I ’ m very excited to see what he does for UTEP football .”
Among Walden ’ s first remarks at the campus ’ press conference was a thank you to former CHS head coach Phil Young for the impact he had on Walden ’ s life .
“ I came from a single parent home and Phil Young became my father figure ,” Walden
said . “ He would welcome his players into his home and when I saw his relationship with his wife and two children , how he interacted with them , I decided that was who I wanted to be . He wasn ’ t just my football coach he was my life coach . He inspired me to become a coach and I can ’ t thank him enough .”
Walden is married to fellow Cleburne graduate Callie ( Phelps ) Walden . They have one son and a second son is due in February . UTEP President Heather Wilson , who was a member of the selection committee , which conducted interviews in Dallas , said Walden reflected the university ’ s desires to have a coach who could go beyond the Xs and Os to inspire integrity and develop character in players .
“ We wanted an offensively oriented leader who our players could compete for and win championships ,” she said . “ But more than that we wanted a coach that shares our values in running a clean program . We wanted a leader who could develop young men of character . We wanted someone who could show players how to persist , how to pick themselves up when they get knocked down . I believe we have chosen a coach who will be exceptional in that realm .”
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