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PREP FOOTBALL Coaching legend Walker put others first He's remembered for prowess on field, everyday compassion Comment By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Dec. 30, 2015 at 6:35 PM By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Dec. 30, 2015 at 6:35 PM » Social News A Mail Tribune story once noted that some day, when they gather around the fire to exchange tales of Larry Walker’s accomplishments, he’d loom bigger than his 6-foot-4 frame. The local coaching legend, age 76, passed away early Tuesday morning, leaving behind a larger-than-life legacy that extended far beyond the boundaries of the football field. Walker, whose health had been on the decline the last decade, compiled a 249-74-1 record in 30 seasons of coaching at St. Mary’s and South Medford, including seven state championships during his 18 years with the Crusaders. He ranks 12th all-time for Oregon high school football coaching victories. Walker was also a beloved teacher, a principal and an athletic director who devoted his time and energy to improving the lives of others, his friends and family say. To Walker’s oldest son, Brad, his father’s relentless kindness and a genuine compassion for others stands out the most. “The amazing thing was that you couldn’t go anywhere with dad and not have somebody come up and thank him for something he did in their lives that made it better,” says the nuclear engineer, who lives outside of Tacoma, Wash. “I’ve been bombarded by emails and social media stuff about how my father did this, or how he took the time with someone when they were a troubled youth and put them on the right path. There are literally thousands of these stories. You couldn’t go anywhere in Medford and not hear that.” Walker was 174-27-1 at St. Mary’s from 1967 to 1985, earning state crowns in 1969, ‘70, ‘78, ‘79, ‘81, ‘82 and ‘83. His teams once reeled off 76 straight regular-season victories over a nine-year period before Yoncalla ended the streak, 17-10, at Spiegelberg Stadium on Oct. 7, 1983. The Crusaders went on to share the state championship with Colton that year. Walker was the first coach at South Medford following the split of Medford High School into North and South. He coached the Panthers to a 75-47 record from 1986 to ‘97. Before that, he was a member of Norm Musser’s staff when Medford High won the state title before the split. Walker’s South Medford team defeated North Medford, 26-0, in the first-ever Black and Blue Game on Sept. 12, 1986. “He’s right there with (Fred) Spiegelberg at the top of the list,” Musser said in a 2000 Mail Tribune article. “I know that’s saying a lot, but that’s where Larry belongs. No question.” Brent Barry, now principal at Orchard Hill Elementary in Medford, was Walker’s quarterback for the Panthers during the late 1980s. Brent’s older brother, Jeff, also played signal caller for Panther squads led by Walker. “He was just pretty amazing,” Brent says of Walker. “He was just so consistent and he coached what he knew. We played with those full-house backfields, and what I remember the most about him was that he was always happy to see you. What I appreciated as a player was he always asked my opinion and what I thought would work, which brought you into the game plan. He is one of those guys who ultimately inspired me to get into teaching and coaching.” Practices were a good mix of business and fun, Barry recalled. “I know we were getting work done and we had some good players and good teams,” Barry says. “He made it fun. You knew you had to get the work done, but we had a lot of fun. “I think what also stands out to me is he surrounded himself with amazing coaches who bought into his philosophy.” Roseburg coaching legend Thurman Bell was taken aback by the news of Walker’s passing. “He was a true gentleman,” says Bell, who is second all-time on the state’s coaching list with a career mark of 331-154-1 with the Indians. “What a great guy. I’m really sad to hear that. “You like the guys on the other side to not be so nice. He was just a tremendous guy. I had the chance to coach with him in a Shrine All-Star game. What a true gentleman.” Walker endured only his third losing season as a head coach in 1997, when his squad won one of nine games. Winning or losing, his grander vision remained the same. “I think my No. 1 priority has always been to be the best role model I can for my players,” Walker said in a 2000 Mail Tribune story. “That’s especially true among kids that I didn’t think had role models at home to help them.” One of Walker’s greatest personal highlights was seeing his son Brad — then a sophomore place-kicker and punter — kick a 32-yard field goal to give St. Mary’s the 3-0 win over Enterprise in the 1982 Class A state title contest. Walker also coached younger son Matt at South Medford all four years. What made Walker such a successful coach? “He had this uncanny ability to make us believe,” Brad says. “He made us believe we could do anything with hard work and determination, and I think that is why he was so successful. He could convince a bunch of 17-year-old boys that it was possible.” Before coaching at South Medford and St. Mary’s, Walker was a defensive line coach at Evergreen High in Vancouver, Wash., and an assistant coach for Bill Stewart at Illinois Valley in 1963. Prior to the 1967 season, Walker got a call from St. Mary’s. Stewart had put in a good word for him. The Crusaders needed someone to teach math and coach football, Walker recalled in a Mail Tribune article, and Stewart told the principal there that he knew a nice, young Catholic man who fit the mold. With that endorsement, Walker was hired and the rest is history. Along with all the football, he coached basketball, track and field and golf before serving as a principal and athletic director. In a 1998 Mail Tribune article, Walker downplayed his achievements and said he kind of stumbled into coaching. “I just raised my hand when somebody asked if I was willing to help out with football,” he said. South Medford boys basketball coach Dennis Murphy was a football assistant under Walker for seven years, winning three state titles during that span. Those two also worked together as coaches on the hardwood at St. Mary’s. “It is tough,” Murphy says. “You lose a best friend. The lives he has impacted, you can’t measure.” Walker was born in Grants Pass in 1939 and grew up there. He was an all-conference football player and an outstanding basketball player with a smooth hook shot for the Cavemen. Walker graduated in 1957. In the classroom, Walker taught advanced mathematics and science. He remained on as a science and math teacher at South Medford following retirement from coaching. He had a genius quality about him, his loved ones say, but was never boastful. Walker put others before himself, says stepdaughter Katie Adams, who is a teacher in Jacksonville. “He included me in everything he did,” she says. Larry received his teacher’s certificate at the University of Oregon, although he viewed himself more as a Beaver after beginning his academic career in Corvallis and seeing children Brad, Cindy (who is now a pharmacist) and Matt (head of the radiation department at Arizona State University) graduate from OSU. Walker loved Corvettes, St. Bernard dogs, visits to Diamond Lake, snowmobiling and the New York Yankees. He had a passion for cooking and a passion for eating, Brad says. He could watch SportsCenter highlights over and over, Brad says, but Matt added he rarely sat down to watch full games on television. His 10 grandchildren called him “Papa.” Walker’s family came first — his three biological children (Brad, Cindy and Matt), two step children (Chris and Katie) and his wife Lynn, along with all the players he ever coached. “He kept track of his players and he was so proud to see them become great adults and great fathers,” Brad says. Working with Walker was a pleasure and a learning experience, Murphy says. “It’s always fun to coach, but it’s even more fun when you can do it with your best friend,” he says. As for what made Walker great: “You have to convince kids that they have to play hard and that they have to play smart,” Murphy says. “When we were at St. Mary’s, we always said we were never very big, but we’d hit you and hit you hard, and we’d play smart. …. We just didn’t make mistakes.” Walker’s health began deteriorating the last 10 years, his family says, and he battled throat cancer and heart problems. He endured surgeries and radiation treatment and used a pacemaker. Near the end of his life, he saw Brad for a few weeks in August and visited with Cindy in October. Matt was with Walker for the final 10 days of his father’s life. He celebrated three decades of marriage to wife Lynn last Sunday. On Walker’s last day, he had breakfast with family and spoke with friends. “He was really a quiet kind of man,” Murphy says. “He was so humble yet extremely competitive.” A service is set for the summer of 2016 with the time and location to be determined. Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Dec. 30, 2015 at 6:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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