Asst. Coaches: Paul Turner, Marcus Walker, Casey Walker, Nathan Young

paul turner

safeties

@pauloturner80

Paul Turner, the former Louisiana Tech wide receiver, was promoted to full-time assistant coach by Sonny Cumbie as the West Monroe native will serve as the safeties coach for the Bulldogs.

“Paul is an up and comer in coaching,” said Cumbie. “I saw very quickly how the players gravitated to Paul and the trust and relationships that he has on this team and in recruiting. He will bring a great amount of energy and passion to the office and practice field daily.”

Turner spent the past year as a defensive analyst for the Bulldogs after serving as a defensive graduate assistant the previous season. He worked closely with all aspects of the Tech defensive staff and unit over the past two seasons.

As the defensive graduate assistant in 2020, Turner worked closely with coach Jeff Burris and the Bulldog corners and safeties. As the defensive analyst this past season, he worked strictly with coach David Mackie and the Bulldog safeties.

In both seasons, he assisted with developing game plans, organized and ran the scout team, assisted with film breakdown and scouting. He also assisted in all phases of the special team units.

casey walker

defensive line

@CoachWalker53

Head coach Sonny Cumbie added former NFL and Super Bowl winning lineman Casey Walker as the defensive line coach on his Bulldog coaching staff. Walker comes to Ruston after spending the past two seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce.

“We’re excited to welcome Casey Walker to our Bulldog family and coaching staff,” said Cumbie. “Casey has experienced success at the highest level in college and the NFL. That success will no doubt translate well in how he teaches and leads our defensive line. His passion for defense and the game of football will be infused into our players.”

During his time at Texas A&M-Commerce, Walker served as the defensive line coach where his position group led the Lone Star Conference in sacks per game in 2019. That same group set a Division II playoff record with 10 sacks in a win over Colorado School of Mines.

In 2021, his TAMUC defensive line set an NCAA record by recording 10 sacks in the first half of a game. He coached a number of all-conference peformers during his time at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Walker, former member of the Super Bowl XLIX champion New England Patriots, served at Oklahoma Baptist in 2018 as defensive line coach after a year of coaching at Garden City Community College and Central Oklahoma.

marcus walker

cornerbacks

@CoachMWalker

Former University of Oklahoma cornerback and NFL and CFL veteran Marcus Walker joins Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs cornerbacks coach on Sonny Cumbie’s staff.

Walker comes to Ruston after spending the past two seasons as the defensive backs coach at Stephen F. Austin.

“Marcus brings experience from his playing days at Oklahoma and in the NFL that gives him instant credibility with our players,” said Cumbie. “Marcus is committed to the development of his players from a technical standpoint and also how they will be incorporated into our defensive scheme. Aggressive and tough minded is the approach Marcus will take daily with our corners. Marcus and Destini are excited to be Bulldogs, and we cannot wait to see the impact they will have on our team and community.”

Walker was an integral part of a Stephen F. Austin defensive coaching staff that helped lead the Lumberjacks to one of their best seasons in decades. SFA posted an 8-4 record with close losses to FBS Texas Tech (L, 28-22; Sonny Cumbie’s former school) and No. 1 ranked Sam Houston State (L, 21-20). The Lumberjacks fell 35-28 in overtime to Incarnate Word.

The SFA 2021 defense ranked among the best in the Western Athletic Conference and in the nation, helping lead the Lumberjacks to the NCAA FCS Playoffs. SFA ranked No. 1 in the WAC in scoring defense, total defense, takeaways, interceptions, sacks and opponent third down conversion percentage.

nathan young

offensive line

@CoachNate_Young

Head Coach Sonny Cumbie has added another piece to his coaching puzzle as Nathan Young will serve as the Bulldogs offensive line coach. Young comes to Ruston after serving in the same position at Stephen F. Austin.

“Nathan Young is one of the smartest, hard-working teachers of offensive linemen that I’ve come across,” said Cumbie. “His ability to develop, teach, and lead his position will be a difference maker here. Everywhere he’s been he has been a key component of explosive, high-scoring offenses. We cannot wait to get Nathan and his family to Louisiana Tech.”

Young spent the past three seasons at Stephen F. Austin, working with the Lumberjacks offensive line. SFA is coming off a season that saw the program earn a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs and a Top 25 national ranking. SFA recorded back-to-back winning seasons in 2020 and 2021, the first by the program since 2011.

During the three years at SFA, the Lumberjacks increased its yards per carry by over 1.2 yards and cut the total sacks in half. The Lumberjacks offensive line allowed just 23 sacks in 12 games this past year in more than 425 drop-back opportunities by SFA quarterbacks.