Jason Walker is stepping down as head football coach at Westlake, leaving the program without the only figurehead it has ever known.
Walker said in an interview with the Tribune that he is getting a promotion at his job with Eagle Mountain City, and he decided his schedule would be spread too thin to
continue his role as coach of the Thunder.
"I have to do what I feel is necessary, in fairness to the team and to the boys, to allow them to be successful," Walker said. "It was a lengthy process, but when we laid out our options on the table, I thought this would be the best decision for my family and for the team."
The 35-year-old Walker first came on board when Westlake opened, leading the Thunder to a 16-15 record in his three-year tenure and reaching
the Class 4A playoffs each of the last two years.
"What I'm most proud of is helping the program be competitive quickly," Walker said. "We never said it was OK to lose because we're a new school. We expected to win. Whether it was right or not, our kids believed they could play with anyone."
This season, Westlake won its first-ever playoff game, beating Mountain Crest 23-14. It was a highlight in a difficult regular season during which the Thunder lost their first five games and only finished with a 4-7 record. Walker called the turnaround one of his most successful moments in the program, and cited a tough preseason as one of the factors that helped his team play better late.
Walker said he received the promotion right after the end of the regular season and took some time to discuss it with his wife.
Although he will no longer be head coach, he said he would be interested in a supporting role on the team, from assistant to a booster. Walker lives two minutes from
the school and said he will continue to support Westlake football however the next coach sees fit. And there's always the chance that he could coach again down the road.
"I don't want to be a distraction by means, so if that means I need to step away from the program for a while, I'll do that," Walker said. "I don't worry about it too much. Things change, and another opportunity could always come up." (as reported in the Salt Lake Tribune)
Jason Walker has stepped down as head coach of the Westlake football program.
He announced his decision to the school administration and his players on Monday. Walker is receiving a promotion in his employment for the city of Eagle Mountain which will prevent him from being able to fulfill the requirements of running the program.
"My responsibilities with the city are being expanded on," Walker said. "This change is bittersweet. I'll have more time off with my family, but I won't be around my boys. I will miss that."
Athletic director Mike O'Connor said the school was sorry to see the coach go. "We love the guy and we hate to lose him," he said. "He's done a terrific job here and put our program on the map."
In three seasons at the helm, Walker's teams earned a 16-15 record and produced five All-State players, but the straight numbers don't even begin to tell the story.
In the school's first season, the Thunder had a 4-6 mark, more than respectable for a first-year school, in Walker's first attempt as a head coach.
In 2010, the squad ran the table except for a hiccup against Timpview during the regular season. They ranked among the state's best most of the year and finished 8-2.
This fall, expectations were really high coming int, but the team faced some adversity early and stumbled out of the gates.
Nevertheless, Westlake won four of its final six games, including a thrilling playoff victory on the road over the Mustangs that holds a special place in Walker's heart.
"Not too many teams go up to Mountain Crest and win," he said. "On the way home, we stopped at
Golden Corral. Hey, great football and food all in one day - it's hard to beat that for a football player."
The coach singled out another event as an especially fond memory as well.
"It was in 2010, when there was some flooding in Eagle Mountain," he recalled. "We cancelled practice and the boys helped throw sandbags and clean out homes. They didn't complain at all, they just really got into it.
"Seeing them do such good in the community was a great experience for me," the coach added. It also went right along with his philosophy.
"It's always been about more than just football for me," Walker said. "I always hoped to see them become good young men, most of all."
O'Connor said the coach succeeded in that aspect too. "He's done everything we've asked of him, and more," the AD said. "The kids love and respect him. He's just been great for the program and for the school."
Walker said he was also very appreciative of the support the program received from the community.
"I want to thank them for all their support," he went on. "We got great crowds to come out to our games. We loved having them there and I loved the opportunity to work with their kids and to see what quality youth we have out here."
Walker did leave open the possibility that he'll continue his involvement with the program he helped to start.
"I'd still like to be around," he said. "That will depend on the new coach in part. I don't know how much or in what capacity, but whether it's as a helper or even just a booster, I want to do what I can.
"Starting a new program and getting into the nuts and bolts and every little detail was fun," the coach said. "It was a lot of hard work and a lot of time away from my family, but it was a great, great run." (as reported at the Herald).
Read more:
http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/high-school/football/walker-resigns-as-thunder-football-coach/article_372e5192-1fc3-11e1-a0b5-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1fpKrf8al
