Central Michigan University Athletics
Staff Directory
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 is in his first season on head coach Matt Drinkall’s coaching staff as its running backs coach.
Walker joins the Central Michigan staff after spending the last four years at Penn State as its Assistant Running Backs Coach (2022-25). In all, he worked a combined six years at Penn State on James Franklin’s coaching staff, including two years as Defensive Recruiting Coordinator, Personnel and Analytics Coordinator in 2019 and 2020. While woking with Running Backs coaches Stan Drayton (one year) and JaJuan Seider (three years), Walker helped tutor running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, who both set various Penn State career records. Allen concluded his career as Penn State’s all-time leader in career rushing yardage, while Singleton set school records for all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns.
He also spent one year as a Football Analyst with the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons, where he helped coach running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Avery Williams.
Walker spent five years at his alma mater University of Massachusetts in several different coaching capacities including Special Teams Coordinator (2018), Linebackers Coach (2017), Recruiting Coordinator (2016-17), Inside Linebackers and Recruiting Coordinator (2015), and Outside Linebackers (2014). As Special Teams Coordinator, he coached several notable players including Isiah Rogers, Marquis Young, and Andy Issabella, who all saw action in the NFL, and played a key role in signing the top recruiting class in UMass history in 2016 as the recruiting coordinator. In 2017, he was named the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Assistant Coach of the Year after his linebacking unit completed one of the strongest seasons in school history. All three starters—Jarell Addo, Bryton Barr, and Steve Casali—finished ranked among the team’s top-5 in total tackles, while the trio combined for 21.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles. All three earned postseason accolades.
For two years in 2012 and 2013, Walker served as the defensive quality control coach at Vanderbilt under Franklin. In 2013, the Commodores ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in interceptions (18), led the league 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, where he totaled 340 career tackles, eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and one interception in 50 games played and 36 career starts. He also tied UMass’ single-game tackles record with 23 and had two sacks against Delaware in 2004. A team captain and two-time all-conference honoree (2006 Atlantic-10, 2007 CAA), Walker led the Minutemen with 116 tackles (45 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, two fumbles recovered, two forced fumbles, and an interception as a senior in 2007. In 2006, he helped guide the Minutemen to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game under head coach 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 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 career tackles (143 solo) with eight sacks for 38 yards, 15 tackles for loss for 58 yards, one interception, and three pass breakups.
Walker joins the Central Michigan staff after spending the last four years at Penn State as its Assistant Running Backs Coach (2022-25). In all, he worked a combined six years at Penn State on James Franklin’s coaching staff, including two years as Defensive Recruiting Coordinator, Personnel and Analytics Coordinator in 2019 and 2020. While woking with Running Backs coaches Stan Drayton (one year) and JaJuan Seider (three years), Walker helped tutor running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, who both set various Penn State career records. Allen concluded his career as Penn State’s all-time leader in career rushing yardage, while Singleton set school records for all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns.
He also spent one year as a Football Analyst with the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons, where he helped coach running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Avery Williams.
Walker spent five years at his alma mater University of Massachusetts in several different coaching capacities including Special Teams Coordinator (2018), Linebackers Coach (2017), Recruiting Coordinator (2016-17), Inside Linebackers and Recruiting Coordinator (2015), and Outside Linebackers (2014). As Special Teams Coordinator, he coached several notable players including Isiah Rogers, Marquis Young, and Andy Issabella, who all saw action in the NFL, and played a key role in signing the top recruiting class in UMass history in 2016 as the recruiting coordinator. In 2017, he was named the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Assistant Coach of the Year after his linebacking unit completed one of the strongest seasons in school history. All three starters—Jarell Addo, Bryton Barr, and Steve Casali—finished ranked among the team’s top-5 in total tackles, while the trio combined for 21.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles. All three earned postseason accolades.
For two years in 2012 and 2013, Walker served as the defensive quality control coach at Vanderbilt under Franklin. In 2013, the Commodores ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in interceptions (18), led the league 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, where he totaled 340 career tackles, eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and one interception in 50 games played and 36 career starts. He also tied UMass’ single-game tackles record with 23 and had two sacks against Delaware in 2004. A team captain and two-time all-conference honoree (2006 Atlantic-10, 2007 CAA), Walker led the Minutemen with 116 tackles (45 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, two fumbles recovered, two forced fumbles, and an interception as a senior in 2007. In 2006, he helped guide the Minutemen to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game under head coach 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 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 career tackles (143 solo) with eight sacks for 38 yards, 15 tackles for loss for 58 yards, one interception, and three pass breakups.
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