Men's Basketball

George Walker
George Walker

Position:
Assistant Coach
Experience:
11th year at Houston
Alma Mater:
Houston, 1983

Beginning his 11th season overall as an assistant coach at the University of Houston, George Walker is in his second season as a member of Tom Penders' coaching staff. Last season, Walker helped the Cougars win 18 games, play in a postseason tournament and sign one of the nation's Top 15 recruiting classes.

Walker returned to Houston last year for his third appointment as an assistant coach. A four-year letterman for the Cougars from 1975-79, Walker spent two seasons (1998-2000) as an assistant for Clyde Drexler and six campaigns (1980-86) under legendary coach Guy V. Lewis.

His current duties include working with Houston's frontline players, compiling scouting reports and assisting with recruitment of new players.

Walker returned to his alma mater after a four-year absence, having spent the last three years as the head basketball coach at The Honor Roll School in Sugar Land.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Houston in 1979. He was promoted to part-time assistant coach in 1981 and served as a full-time assistant coach from 1983-86. During those six seasons, the Cougars played in the 1981 NCAA Tournament, three straight NCAA Final Fours in 1982-84 and the 1985 NIT. Some of the players he coached included future All-Americans Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and Michael Young. He also tutored future NBA players Larry Micheaux and Greg Anderson.

Following the 1986 season, he was named an assistant coach at Midland Junior College, where he coached such players as former All-America guard Mookie Blaylock and former UH star forward Kirk Ford. Midland also compiled a 162-54 record while he was an assistant. The Chaparrals also won both games while Walker served as an interim head coach against a second-ranked team and another Top 25 nationally-ranked squad. He also introduced a mandatory study hall for student-athletes with the coaching staff required to attend. It resulted in a 100 percent graduation rate for two-year players.

In 1992, Walker was named the head coach and assistant athletics director at South Florida Community College. In the next six seasons, he compiled a 120-74 record, led the school to two 20-win seasons, and played for a conference championship in the team's third year of existence. He also was in charge of the entire basketball program, which included coaching, administration, sports information and serving as an academic advisor for the student-athletes. He returned to Houston following the 1997-98 campaign.

Walker's basketball career at Houston began as a player in 1975-79 when he appeared in 129 games during his four-year career.

Walker was a starting forward and served as team captain as a senior, averaging 14.5 points and a team-leading 9.3 rebounds per game. He led Houston in field-goal percentage three consecutive seasons, and ended his career with 1,107 points and 691 rebounds. Walker also was a starting forward in 1977-78, when Houston won its first Southwest Conference Classic Championship and played in the NCAA Tournament. In addition, he was the sixth-man for the 1976-77 club that advanced to the championship game of the NIT with a 29-8 record.

Before he played at Houston, Walker played at Dulles High School in Stafford, Texas. He received a bachelor of science degree in physical education at Houston in 1983. Walker and his wife, Gloria, have two children, Jordan and Lauren.

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