MEET THE
COACHES Mike Walton has improved an ASU defense into one of the top defenses in the nation in only three years as defensive coordinator. In his third season as defensive coordinator the Rams led the Lone Star Conference in rushing yards allowed (136.7 yards per game), interceptions (14) and opponents third down conversion (32.5-percent). ASU forced 23 turnovers and have had a takeaway in 19-straight games dating back to 2012. Rush Seaver and Joey Searcy II were named first team All-LSC and Kyle Patterson, Ryan Clapsaddle and Clayton Callicutt were honorable mention. During his first two seasons as defensive coordinator, the Rams defense improved by leaps and bounds. The 2012 Ram defense was No. 1 in the Lone Star Conference and No. 31 in NCAA Division II. The 337.4 yard per game the defense limited teams was the lowest total in 10 years. Walton’s other stops include the New Mexico Military Institute, Sam Houston State and Eastern New Mexico. His last season at the New Mexico Military Institute, he served as co-defensive coordinator where he developed game plans. The 2010 Broncos logged 17 sacks, 12 interceptions, blocked five kicks and registered three defensive touchdowns. In three seasons at Sam Houston State, Walton coached cornerbacks and was the special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator for the Bearkats. His special teams finished first overall in the Southland Conference in punt returns and net punting.
Walton’s first defensive coordinator job came at Eastern New Mexico in 2006. He was previously the Greyhounds quarterbacks coach, special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator and outside linebackers coach. His defense held opponents to 115 yards rushing and 222 yards passing. Eastern New Mexico was the LSC South Division Co-Champions in 2000 during Walton’s first year coaching. Walton compiled a long list of honors while playing for the Greyhounds and head coach Harold “Bud” Elliot. A four-year starter, he was a two-time Associated Press All-American and American Football Coaches Association All-American. He was also a three-time Lone Star Conference first-team selection. Walton holds the Eastern New Mexico single-season tackles record at 155 in 1997 and owns the school’s career tackle record with 515. He was named the Greatest Greyhound (an award honoring the school’s top athlete from all sports) three times while at Eastern New Mexico. The Lone Star Conference honored Walton as one of the top 75 football players and coaches during its 75th anniversary celebration in 2007. A Springlake-Earth High School graduate, Walton was a two-time all-district selection and earned the district’s Most Valuable Player honor in his senior season. Walton earned his bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 2000 and his master’s in Sports Administration in 2002. He and his wife, Alicia, have two daughters, Lucia and Grace Marie.
MIKE WALTON
{ defensive coordinator }
PIERCE HOLT { defensive line }
ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY RAM FOOTBALL
selections while starring on the gridiron for Angelo State. His collegiate efforts helped him earn a place in the LSC Hall of Fame, NCAA Division II Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. After being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1988 NFL Draft, Holt was twice named the team’s defensive player of the year while helping Bill Walsh’s squad win two Super Bowls. Holt led the Atlanta Falcons in sacks in 1993 and earned his second NFL All-Pro Team selection. Holt and his wife, Deanna, live in the San Angelo area, and their daughter, Lauren, is a member of Angelo State’s women’s basketball team
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Two-time NFL All-Pro selection, two-time AllAmerican and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Pierce Holt works with the defensive line for the Rams. Holt brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the football staff and the defensive line. He played for eight seasons in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons. Holt won two Super Bowl Championships with the San Francisco 49ers and was named twice to the All-Pro team during his career. Holt was twice named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned two First Team All-America