FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas hitting coach Todd Butler has hired former Arkansas catcher and volunteer assistant coach Brian Walker, Wichita State announced Friday.
Walker, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Arkansas and served as third base coach last year, will have responsibilities pertaining to hitting, recruiting, catching, third base coaching and assisting with pitching.
“Brian Walker will bring vast knowledge to the Shocker baseball program," Butler said. "As a player and coach in college with one trip to Omaha (2012) and the Anaheim Angels organization AAA experience at the professional level, he has played and coached at the highest levels. While coaching Brian as a player and coaching alongside him daily, I know that he understands the system which we will bring to our Shocker players.
"Brian is a fantastic coach and person on and off the field. I do know that Brian is excited to develop and build our Shocker players to great heights and that he understands the demands and work load involved carrying on the great rich tradition of Wichita State Shocker baseball.”
In his time as an assistant at Arkansas, Walker mentored catcher James McCann, who was named an Eastern League All-Star for the Detroit Tigers' Class AA affiliate -- the Erie (Pa.) Seawolves. He also helped develop Jake Wise, who did not commit an error in 438 chances in 2012 and caught 17 runners stealing.
Walker played three seasons (2005-2007) at Arkansas. He started 145 of the 164 games in which he appeared and posted a career batting average of .260 with 26 home runs and 98 RBIs. During his three year playing career, he committed just five errors and posted a .996 fielding percentage. He played in three SEC Tournaments and three NCAA Tournaments and earned all-regional honors in 2005 and 2007.
The Tulsa, Okla. native was drafted by the Angels and spent four years within their organization, including finishing the 2010 season in triple-A, before coaching at Arkansas.
The Shockers also hired Scott Gurss as its director of operations Friday. Walker joins Brent Kemnitz as an assistant coach on Butler's staff. Kemnitz has coached over 35 years at Wichita State and was retained after the firing of Gene Stephenson.