UA coach Joe Walker is Region Coach of the Year

NEW ORLEANS | The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has selected University of Alabama men’s cross country coach Joe Walker as the NCAA South Region Coach of the Year.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Coach Walker deserves to be the coach of the year for our region,” head coach Harvey Glance said.

“He has done an outstanding job with our cross country team year-in and year-out and now has us on the verge of being a top 10 national program every season.”

Walker has led the Crimson Tide to one of the program’s best seasons in school history, being ranked as high as eighth in the national polls this season and the top team in the South Region throughout the season. Alabama won the NCAA South Regional last weekend for the fourth time in the last seven seasons under Walker.

“It is always an honor when you are recognized by your peers,” Walker said. “I want to give a lot of credit to Coach Glance. It is under his direction that we have put together the style of team he wants us to have.”

Walker will lead the Tide at the NCAA Championships on Monday afternoon in Terre Haute, Ind.