Joe Walton

NFLretired


position=End
Defensive end
Head coach
number=
birthdate=birth date and age|1935|12|15
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
deathdate=
debutyear=1957
finalyear=1963
draftyear=1957
draftround=2
draftpick=21
college=Pittsburgh
teams=As a player
* Washington Redskins (1957-1960)
* New York Giants (1961-1963)As a coach
* Washington Redskins (RBs) (1974-1977)
* Washington Redskins (OC) (1978-1980)
* New York Jets (HC) (1983-1989)
* Pittsburgh Steelers (OC) (1990-1991)
* Robert Morris U. (HC) (1994-"present")
stat1label=Receiving yards
stat1value=2,628
stat2label=Average
stat2value=14.8
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=28
nfl=WAL798600

Joseph Frank Walton (born December 15, 1935 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania) is a noted coach in college and professional American football.

Early life and playing career

Walton was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in 1935, the son of former Washington Redskins guard Frank “Tiger” Walton. Joe Walton attended the University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship. A college All-American, Walton was drafted in the second round of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Walton played for eight years in the NFL for the Redskins and the New York Giants.

Coaching career

NFL

Walton later served as running backs coach of the Washington Redskins from 1974-77 and offensive coordinator from 1978-80. Walton served as the head coach of the New York Jets from 1983 to 1989 and his teams achieved a 53-57-1 record. He served as the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990 to 1991 serving under Coach Chuck Noll.

College

On July 27, 1993, Walton was named the head coach of the newly formed Robert Morris University football team. Walton created the team from scratch and turned the Colonials into an instant powerhouse. His teams won five Northeast Conference championships and two NCAA Div. I-AA mid-major championships in their first ten years of existence. Walton was included on the ballot of the 2004 College Football Hall of Fame.

In 2005, Robert Morris University opened Joe Walton Stadium, new home to the RMU Colonials. His main task now lies in rebuilding the Colonials to a new powerhouse as the Northeast Conference is now permitting its teams to dole out 30+ scholarships. He is signed through 2011 to remain the head coach at Robert Morris.

External links

* [http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14895540&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478569&rfi=6 Coach overwhelmed by naming stadium after him]
* [http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14895560&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478568&rfi=6 Walton's effect more that just a stadium]
* [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05202/541234.stm Colonials christen Joe Walton Stadium]
* [http://www.footballcardgallery.com/player/Joe+Walton/ Joe Walton's football cards]