November 23, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Little Rock Trojans head coach Darrell Walker during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Image Little Rock has fired head coach Darrell Walker after eight seasons, the university announced Friday.
The Trojans are 12-20 this season, including a 72-62 loss to Lindenwood in the first round of the Ohio Valley Tournament.
Little Rock was expected to win the 11-team OVC this season, but finished seventh with a 9-11 record. The Trojans are changing league status to the United Athletic Conference for next season.
“After carefully considering the direction of Troy men’s basketball, we have determined that comprehensive change is necessary for our organization,” Little Rock athletic director Frank Cuervo said in a news release. “My expectations are to position this program to continue competing for championships in the new United Athletic Conference and earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. I am confident that the right leader will create momentum, energize the fan base and lead the program to continued success with a new vision for Trojan basketball.”
Walker, who turns 65 on Monday, went 113-133 with two regular-season titles in Little Rock, but was unable to lead the Trojans to the NCAA Tournament. The program last reached the tournament in 2016, when Chris Beard was coach and the Trojans downed fifth-seeded Purdue in double overtime before losing to Iowa State in the second round.
Walker played at Arkansas and was a second-team All-American as a junior in 1982-83. He was a first round pick (12th overall) by the New York Knicks in the 1983 NBA Draft. He averaged 8.9 points, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 720 games (356 starts) over 10 seasons with five teams and was a member of the Chicago Bulls’ 1993 NBA championship team.
Walker was also an NBA head coach with the Toronto Raptors (1996-98) and Washington Wizards (1999-2000), compiling a 56-113 record.
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