Jerel Walker was named the University of Maryland Eastern Shore head golf coach in June of 2024.
"As we continue to develop our men's and women's golf program, we are excited to welcome Jerel Walker as the new head coach at UMES. Coach Walker has the knowledge and passion for the game of golf which we believe will best serve our student-athletes," Vice President of Athletics Tara A. Owens said. "Coach Walker has a great vision for Hawk golf and is focused on building a competitive and nationally recognized program. Under his leadership, our student-athletes will be motivated to reach new heights of success on the course, in the classroom, and in the community."
Walker is an esteemed member of the Golf Coaches Association of America, renowned for his expertise in golf instruction and player development.
Walker's coaching journey includes a variety of roles including serving as a private golf instructor at Top Hybrid Training in Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee guiding students of all skill levels to achieve their full potential on the golf course.
From 2012 to 2017, Walker coached at Jackson State University. While at JSU, Walker was responsible for overseeing team management, recruitment, and academic success. His teams consistently excelled, securing multiple championships and individual accolades under his guidance. In the 2016 season, Coach Walker's team won the academic championship as the squad with the highest GPA on campus while earning multiple team and individual victories including the 2017 South-Western Athletic Conference Champions runners-up.
Walker has also been heavily involved in youth golf development through his role as a lead youth golf coach at The First Tee of Central Mississippi, where he designed engaging lesson plans and fostered a nurturing environment for aspiring young golfers to flourish.
"I have a profound love for the game and am committed to excellence," said Walker. "My goal throughout my career has been to inspire and empower golfers of all ages to reach new heights on and off the fairway. As I prepare for this opportunity at UMES, I appreciate and thank the campus community, President Heidi M. Anderson, Vice President Tara Owens and the search committee for selecting me to coach our women's and men's programs."
Beyond coaching, Walker has contributed to the broader golf community through internships with the United States Golf Association (USGA), where he gained valuable experience in tournament organization and player development initiatives.
Walker also has experience in NCAA athletic administration while working at JSU, overseeing multiple athletic teams' recruitment, finances, equipment, and travel while also assisting in game day operations with basketball, baseball, and football. In addition, Walker has spent time teaching in the classroom as an adjunct professor at Holmes Community College from 2016 to 2018. He was also an academic advisor at Howard Community College from 2018 to 2019.
After transferring from Lackawanna College, Walker earned a Division I scholarship to play football at Jackson State University, receiving his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and master's degree in Sports Management with a minor in Health. Walker's academic foundation underscores his comprehensive understanding of athletic development and performance enhancement. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education Administration and Supervision, Walker combines his academic pursuits with a deep passion for the game of golf.
