Originally published Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM

UCLA's Walker says 'no' to Huskies, will stay with Bruins

New UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel has yet to coach a game against his former school, but he scored a victory of sorts against the Huskies on...

By Bob Condotta

Seattle Times staff reporter

New UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel has yet to coach a game against his former school, but he scored a victory of sorts against the Huskies on Wednesday by convincing defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker to stay at UCLA.

The Huskies had pursued Walker to fill the same position, replacing recently fired Kent Baer, reportedly offering at least a two-year deal worth more than $400,000 per year.

Walker said "it was one of the toughest calls I had to make" to tell Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham he was staying at UCLA, but that he had "unfinished business." His son, Kevan, has committed to play at UCLA next season.

Walker served as the Bruins' interim coach for the Las Vegas Bowl after the firing of coach Karl Dorrell.

Indications are that Walker agreed to stay after Neuheisel agreed to keep defensive line coach Todd Howard and linebackers coach Chuck Bullough, who arrived at UCLA along with Walker in 2006.

Walker said the Huskies not only pursued him, but Howard and Bullough as well.

"He [Willingham] did a great job selling the program," Walker said. "I think he sold Todd and Chuck. But again, at the end of the day when we sat down and pulled all the pieces together, this is the place we need to be."

Walker's statements indicate that Willingham was willing to make a massive overhaul of the defensive staff. Randy Hart, who has been at UW since 1988, is currently the Huskies' defensive line coach. Chris Tormey is the Huskies' recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach.

Hart said Wednesday that his future "has not been discussed. Until I'm told anything else, I expect to be there."

Walker said he spoke with UW president Mark Emmert "a couple of times. He just said he would like for me to be part of the program."

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