Cougars add football assistant

Washington State University football coach Bill Doba has filled his coaching staff, luring University of Toledo secondary coach and special teams coordinator David Walkosky to Pullman to coach cornerbacks.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Walkosky said. “To be able to coach in the Pac-10 and being able to work with Coach Doba, that’s great. I’ve heard a lot about him for a long time and he has a great reputation as a defensive coach.

“The way I look at it, there is a chance to work with a great head coach, excellent assistant coaches and at a place that has an opportunity to win. It’s all that I could ask for.”

Walkosky fills an opening created when Ken Greene resigned recently after reports of inappropriate conduct surfaced last month.

“He fits our needs perfectly,” Doba said of Walkosky, adding he will have an important role with WSU’s special teams. “During his interview, Dave met with the staff and gave us his thoughts, ideas and teaching progression for special teams and corner play. He was impressive.”

As a player, Walkosky walked on at Toledo before becoming the starting free safety as a junior and senior. After graduating, he had three coaching stops before returning to the Rockets in 1999.

Since joining Toledo’s staff his coaching duties have, at times, included the outside linebackers and defensive backs. But he has always been in charge of the punt-return unit. The Rockets blocked 16 punts in his tenure.

“A lot of people think a punt return is a change of possession,” he said. “But you better be playing defense first, because you want to force that change of possession. That’s something I’ve learned over the years and it’s a good lesson.”

Walkosky was named the Rockets’ special teams coordinator in 2003 and secondary coach in 2005.

Experience was important, Walkosky conceded, but he thinks there might be another reason why he was WSU’s choice.

“My enthusiasm and my love for teaching the game,” he said. “I take pride in being a great educator. I think I can motivate young men, make them want to improve and play with enthusiasm. That’s a contagious thing.”

Walkosky, 38, is married to Wendy Batchelor. They have one son. The new coach will start in Pullman next week.