University of Memphis men's tennis coach Paul Goebel nets his team a winner, on and off the court.
Goebel announced Wednesday the hiring of former Tiger Lee Taylor Walker as an assistant coach.
After spending his summers playing professional tournaments during and after his career at Memphis, Walker gravitated to coaching with the idea of improving his skills and the skills of those around him.
"Being out on the road by yourself was tough, then the opportunity opened up," Walker said.
Goebel didn't wait to knock.
"I asked him straight away if he was interested in being an assistant coach," Goebel said, when he learned Walker was coming back to graduate school. "His work ethic is going to be a great role model for the guys on the team."
As a player, Walker was never one to set a goal to be neither one of the top 25 tennis players in the nation nor win a set amount of matches. He just wanted to reach his potential, a philosophy that will remain with him as a coach.
"I want to see the players that come through this program become great professionals," Walker said. "A lot of things are going to have to come together. Coach Paul and I can't do it all."
Walker is returning to coach a team full of close friends, an aspect of the team that will do anything but hinder its progress.
Mark Finnegan, a senior on this year's team, said Walker has been one of his closest friends since he transferred from Georgia Southern.
"I don't have a bad word to say about the guy," Finnegan said. "I couldn't be more excited. He's one of the best to play for Memphis."Finnegan's praise is a perfect source to understand why Goebel wanted Walker to help coach the team and he wouldn't let the chance slip by as soon as Walker told him he would be returning permanently to Memphis.Goebel's offer came after only eight months after Walker played his last match in Tiger blue.
"LT" - as many know him - was a letter winner every year he played for the Tigers. After his freshman season, Walker decided to transfer from Clemson University amid rumors head coach Chuck Kriese would possibly be leaving the program.
Clemson's loss was Memphis' gain as they received a gifted player and possibly a better person.
Apart of a leadership group that rejuvenated the Memphis chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes during his senior year, Walker aims to provide a place for Memphis athletes to go.
The non-athletic side of Walker is almost as impressive as the side that swings a racket.
Walker finished his career with a 54-43 record his senior season, on his way to a national ranking of 94. He was the first-ever First Team Conference USA honoree and, along with former teammate Ben Stapp, achieved the program's first national ranking in doubles.
Those actions on the court coupled with those off were recognized at the U.S. Open where he received the ITA/Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership award. The award is given to one female and one male college tennis player every year.
"It couldn't have worked out better when I transferred to Memphis," Walker said.
