Central Michigan University Athletics
Football
Charles Walker
- Title:
- Running Backs Coach
- Phone:
- @CoachCBW (X)
- Year at CMU:
- 1st year at CMU
- Hometown:
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Alma Mater/Year:
- Massachusetts/2008
Charles Walker begins first season on head coach Matt Drinkall’s staff as its running backs coach.
Walker joins Central Michigan after four years at Penn State as Assistant Running Backs Coach (2022-25). He spent a total of six years under James Franklin, including roles as Defensive Recruiting Coordinator and Personnel and Analytics Coordinator (2019 and 2020). He worked with running backs coaches Stan Drayton (one year) and JaJuan Seider (three years) and helped guide Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton to record-breaking seasons at Penn State. Allen ended his career as Penn State’s all-time leader in career rushing yards, while Singleton set school records for all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns.
Walker spent one season as a National Football League analyst with the Atlanta Falcons, coaching running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Avery Williams.
Walker spent five years at his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts, serving in various coaching roles each year: Special Teams Coordinator (2018), Linebackers Coach (2017), Recruiting Coordinator (2016-17), Inside Linebackers and Recruiting Coordinator (2015), and Outside Linebackers Coach (2014). As Special Teams Coordinator, he guided Isiah Rogers, Marquis Young, and Andy Isabella, to the NFL and was responsible for the signing of UMass’ top recruiting class in 2016. In 2017, he was named the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Assistant Coach of the Year after his linebackers delivered one of the program’s strongest seasons; Jarell Addo, Bryton Barr, and Steve Casali ranked in UMass’ top-5 for tackles, totaled 21.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles, and earned postseason honors.
During 2012 and 2013, Walker served as Vanderbilt’s defensive quality control coach under Franklin. In 2013, Vanderbilt ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in interceptions (18), led the conference in interception return yards (277), and tied for fourth in sacks (28).
A Fort Lauderdale, Fla. native, Walker played linebacker at Massachusetts from 2004-07, recording 340 career tackles, eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and one interception in 50 games and 36 career starts. He tied the UMass single-game tackles record with 23 and had two sacks versus Delaware in 2004. As captain and two-time all-conference honoree (2006 Atlantic-10, 2007 CAA), Walker led UMass with 116 tackles (45 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and an interception as a senior in 2007. He helped UMass reach the NCAA Division I-AA championship game in 2006 under Don Brown.
Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UMass in 2008 and an MBA from Nichols College (Mass.) in 2012. He is also a graduate of Boyd H. Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., where he played in the Broward County All-Star Game.
Walker and his wife, Kaliah, have three daughters Nyla, Aniyah, and Charlotte, and a son, Shai.
THE WALKER FILE
Birthdate: January 18, 1985
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, University of Massachusetts, 2008
Master of Business Administration, Nichols College, 2012
Coaching Career
Running Backs Coach, Central Michigan University, 2026-current
Assistant Running Backs Coach, Penn State University, 2022-25
Football Analyst, Atlanta Falcons, 2021
Defensive Recruiting Coordinator, Personnel, and Analytics Coordinator, Penn State University, 2019-20
Special Teams Coordinator, University of Massachusetts, 2018
Recruiting Coordinator, University of Massachusetts, 2016-17
Inside Linebackers Coach, University of Massachusetts, 2015
Outside Linebackers Coach, University of Massachusetts, 2014
Defensive Quality Control Coach, Vanderbilt University, 2012-13
Linebackers Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, Nichols College, 2009-12
Running Backs Coach, Nichols College, 2008-09
Playing Career
Played four seasons at Massachusetts at linebacker (2004-07) … UMass All-Decade Team member … Two-time all-conference honoree … Concluded his career ranked No. 9 on UMass career charts with 340 tackles (143 solo), eight sacks for 38 yards, 15 tackles for loss for 58 yards, one interception, and three pass breakups.
Walker joins Central Michigan after four years at Penn State as Assistant Running Backs Coach (2022-25). He spent a total of six years under James Franklin, including roles as Defensive Recruiting Coordinator and Personnel and Analytics Coordinator (2019 and 2020). He worked with running backs coaches Stan Drayton (one year) and JaJuan Seider (three years) and helped guide Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton to record-breaking seasons at Penn State. Allen ended his career as Penn State’s all-time leader in career rushing yards, while Singleton set school records for all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns.
Walker spent one season as a National Football League analyst with the Atlanta Falcons, coaching running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Avery Williams.
Walker spent five years at his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts, serving in various coaching roles each year: Special Teams Coordinator (2018), Linebackers Coach (2017), Recruiting Coordinator (2016-17), Inside Linebackers and Recruiting Coordinator (2015), and Outside Linebackers Coach (2014). As Special Teams Coordinator, he guided Isiah Rogers, Marquis Young, and Andy Isabella, to the NFL and was responsible for the signing of UMass’ top recruiting class in 2016. In 2017, he was named the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Assistant Coach of the Year after his linebackers delivered one of the program’s strongest seasons; Jarell Addo, Bryton Barr, and Steve Casali ranked in UMass’ top-5 for tackles, totaled 21.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles, and earned postseason honors.
During 2012 and 2013, Walker served as Vanderbilt’s defensive quality control coach under Franklin. In 2013, Vanderbilt ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in interceptions (18), led the conference in interception return yards (277), and tied for fourth in sacks (28).
A Fort Lauderdale, Fla. native, Walker played linebacker at Massachusetts from 2004-07, recording 340 career tackles, eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and one interception in 50 games and 36 career starts. He tied the UMass single-game tackles record with 23 and had two sacks versus Delaware in 2004. As captain and two-time all-conference honoree (2006 Atlantic-10, 2007 CAA), Walker led UMass with 116 tackles (45 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and an interception as a senior in 2007. He helped UMass reach the NCAA Division I-AA championship game in 2006 under Don Brown.
Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UMass in 2008 and an MBA from Nichols College (Mass.) in 2012. He is also a graduate of Boyd H. Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., where he played in the Broward County All-Star Game.
Walker and his wife, Kaliah, have three daughters Nyla, Aniyah, and Charlotte, and a son, Shai.
THE WALKER FILE
Birthdate: January 18, 1985
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, University of Massachusetts, 2008
Master of Business Administration, Nichols College, 2012
Coaching Career
Running Backs Coach, Central Michigan University, 2026-current
Assistant Running Backs Coach, Penn State University, 2022-25
Football Analyst, Atlanta Falcons, 2021
Defensive Recruiting Coordinator, Personnel, and Analytics Coordinator, Penn State University, 2019-20
Special Teams Coordinator, University of Massachusetts, 2018
Recruiting Coordinator, University of Massachusetts, 2016-17
Inside Linebackers Coach, University of Massachusetts, 2015
Outside Linebackers Coach, University of Massachusetts, 2014
Defensive Quality Control Coach, Vanderbilt University, 2012-13
Linebackers Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, Nichols College, 2009-12
Running Backs Coach, Nichols College, 2008-09
Playing Career
Played four seasons at Massachusetts at linebacker (2004-07) … UMass All-Decade Team member … Two-time all-conference honoree … Concluded his career ranked No. 9 on UMass career charts with 340 tackles (143 solo), eight sacks for 38 yards, 15 tackles for loss for 58 yards, one interception, and three pass breakups.
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