Walker Honored as Regional Coach of the Year

Nebraska Head Coach John Walker was named the 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Great Lakes Regional Women's Coach of the Year on Tuesday after guiding the Huskers to both the Big Ten Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships. 

"John is the heart and soul of this program," commented senior midfielder Jordan Jackson. "He has so much passion and knowledge for the game it makes us all excited to train everyday and get better."

Walker, who was also tabbed Big Ten Coach of the Year, guided the Huskers to a 19-4-1 record, its highest win total since 2000 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. Prior to falling to Boston College in the NCAA Second Round, NU won 17 of 18 contests and held the nation's longest and program’s fifth-best win streak of 10 games. The Huskers went 10-1 in the Big Ten with an undefeated conference road resume.

"Personally, John has been a mentor and an indescribable coach and person," stated Jackson, the 2013 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year. "John built the prestige of Nebraska soccer and anyone is considered so lucky to be a part of his legacy."

Nebraska made a splash on the national scene in 2013 achieving a No. 10 ranking in the NSCAA Coaches Poll as well as a No. 4 rating in the national RPI. In 20 years of NU soccer, Walker's program boasts a 282-124-21 mark including 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 conference titles.