SKYHAWKS INTRODUCE DAVID WALLS AS NEW HEAD COACH
3/23/07 - Martin, TN: Two weeks after parting ways with Bret Campbell, head coach from 1999-2007, the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks have found a new man to run the program. David Walls got his start in the basketball world as a manager for Western Kentucky University. From there he was an assistant coach at Union and Alice Lloyd colleges in Kentucky. Most recently he was an assistant at his alma mater WKU for the past three seasons. Now at the young age of 34, it is his turn to be the head coach.
Earlier today the Skyhawks held a press conference to officially introduce Walls as the 8th head coach in program history.
"I am incredibly blessed to have been given this opportunity. I have loved basketball ever since I can remember and to become a head coach is a incredible to think about. This is not something that I take lightly and like I said during the interview process, I will give 100% to this program."
Walls addressed his coaching philosophy and what his expectations were moving forward.
"I really love the team that we have right now. I came here to win championships and that is exactly what we will strive to do. We have a lot of different players who can do a lot of things and that is very exciting for us. Culture-wise, we will be a program that thrives off of selflessness and sacrifice. You will see that in how we play. More importantly, you will see that in how our players live their lives. I am a firm believer that the things that you learn on the basketball court will directly affect how you approach life. It is a unique opportunity we have as coaches to build relationships with these young men and women."
Reporters also asked what to expect to see on the basketball court.
"Well I alluded to it a little bit earlier. We will be a team that doesn't care about individual accolades as much as doing what is best for the team. We will be a team that moves the ball a lot on offense. We want to put individuals in the best place to succeed in order to help the team succeed. On defense, we will have to work as a unit in order to succeed."
Most importantly, perhaps, was the question to his name. Is it really David or Dave?
"That's the best question I've gotten yet!" chuckled the rookie head coach, "I was always called David until I came to college. All of the sudden everyone just kept calling me Dave. I eventually started introducing myself as Dave on accident. It's a thing I guess!"
There is a cautious optimism surrounding this coaching change. Skyhawks fans have not seen a championship, regular or conference, and have not been even to the NIT. Talk of championships sounds nice, but will it happen? Only time will tell.
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