Creighton University Athletics
Women's Soccer
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- jameswalker@creighton.edu
Jimmy Walker enters his third season at the helm of the Bluejays women’s soocer program in 2026. Named the sixth head coach in Creighton women’s soccer history on Nov. 21, 2023, Walker has gone 15-15-6 overall and 9-7-4 in BIG EAST play, while guiding the Bluejays to the BIG EAST Tournament in each of his first two seasons.
Walker has proven to be a popular coach among his players and within the Omaha community, a key factor in the teams record setting crowds the past team season. Last year’s squad ranked in the ninth nationally in average home attendance (1,676), which was the third largest attendance increase in the country from 2024. In addition, Creighton attracted four of the top eight largest single-match crowds in school history during 2025.
In just two seasons, Walker has coached one first team and three second-team All-BIG EAST selections, while also retaining two United Soccer Coaches Association All-Region picks. Walker’s teams have also excelled in the classroom with 10 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honorees.
Despite facing one of the nations toughest non-conference schedules in the country, Walker’s 2025 club won seven matches and qaulified for the BIG EAST Tournament for a second straight season. His guidence in the attacking third played dividends as Ariana Mondiri earned First Team All-BIG EAST and Second Team All-Region honors after leading the Bluejays with eight goals and three assists. In addition, senior Tori Gillis anchored the Bluejays midfield and collected Second Team All-BIG EAST accolades.
In 2024, Walker inherited a team that went just 4-9-5 prior to his arrival and improved that nearly identical team to an 8-7-2 record and a fourth place finish in the BIG EAST, hosting the opening round of the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time in program history. Senior Azumi Manriki earned Second Team All-BIG EAST and United Soccer Coaches Association All-East Region Third Team honors, while Mondiri and Stella Downing were each recognized on the All-BIG EAST Second Team. Additionally, four members of his first team (Lara Kazandjian, Clara Kulick, Mondiri and Ella Offer) were honored for their work in the classroom with a spot on College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
Walker enters his third season as head coach at Creighton with an impressive past on the pitch.
Before coming to Creighton, Walker led Bowling Green State to a pair of Mid-American Conference titles in his four years, going 36-19-11 with the Falcons.
Walker owns a 191-110-32 record in 18 seasons as a head coach, which includes stops at Tiffin (1997-2002), Duquesne (2003-06), Findlay (2018-19), Bowling Green State (2020-23) and Creighton (2024-Present). He is a seven-time Conference Coach of the Year, a three-time Regional Coach of the Year, and in 2000 while at Tiffin was the runner-up for the BRINE National Coach of the Year award.
He also served for two seasons as the recruiting coordinator and top assistant for the men’s soccer program at Penn State (2007-08), and was the Executive Director of Coaching at Pacesetter Soccer Club from 2011-18. Pacesetter were partners with Aston Villa Football Club of the EPL. During Walker’s Coaching Career at all levels he has helped produce over 75 professional players in leagues and countries all over the world.
The native of Birmingham, England, has won 15 conference regular-season or tournament titles in addition to making eight national tournament appearances. His teams are also a regular on the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award list, including a 3.54 GPA in 2024-25 during his first season at Creighton.
His teams have advanced to a postseason tournament and earned national or regional rankings at each previous college program he’s coached at. Walker’s team won the BG Athletics Services to the Community Award in 2023, as well as a proclamation from the Mayor of Bowling Green for service to the community.
Walker’s 2020 Bowling Green State team shared the NCAA lead in shutout percentage (.750) and closed the regular-season ranked No. 29 in the RPI. His 2021 club won the MAC regular-season and tournament titles, were ranked No. 4 in the final Midwest Region poll, and was the first in program history to receive Top 25 votes.
His final team at Findlay in 2019 became the first in program history to make the NCAA Tournament. The Oilers were ranked in the Top 25 nationally, and Walker was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
His tenure at Duquesne was highlighted by a 10-6-1 record in 2005 and the program’s first Atlantic 10 Tournament appearance. The 10 victories and .618 win percentage were a school-record at the time.
His first head coaching job came at Tiffin, where his team won five American Mideast Conference titles and went 45-2-1 in league play during his tenure. The Dragons reached the program’s first Sweet 16, and was the top-ranked team in the Region at one point. Walker was named AMC Coach of the Year in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002.
Walker earned a pair of degrees from Tiffin University, picking up his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management & Business in 1997 and later earning his Master’s degree in Business Administration in 2000. He also has his UEFA B License and earned his United Soccer Coaches Premier Coaching Diploma in 2013.
Following his collegiate career, Walker was a preliminary draft pick for New England Revolution of MLS before going on to play professionally with the Kalamazoo Kingdom (1996-98) and Cleveland Whitecaps (1999). He was a two-time NAIA All-American at Tiffin and earned three All-Great Lakes Region, District 22 and Mid-Ohio Conference honors over his four year career. He helped lead the Dragons to two MOC Championships and was named MOC Player of the Year in 1994. Walker was inducted into the Tiffin University Hall of Fame in 2006.
Walker played with the Academy team at Aston Villa in the English Premier League and spent time at Notts County, Boston & Sutton before coming to the United States. His father, James, played and coached professionally in England for over 25 years. His father played for Derby County, which captured two EPL championship crowns, and also coached in the English Premier League with Aston Villa for 15 years where he was the Director of Sports Science for the club.
Walker is married to the former Kerri Destatte. They have two daughters, Emma and Anna.
WALKER YEAR-BY-YEAR AS A HEAD COACH
1997 Tiffin 7-10-4
1998 Tiffin 16- 6-0
1999 Tiffin 16- 4-0
2000 Tiffin 18- 2-0
2001 Tiffin 15- 3-1
2002 Tiffin 12- 8-0
2003 Duquesne 8-10-2
2004 Duquesne 9-10-1
2005 Duquesne 10- 6-1
2006 Duquesne 4-10-2
2018 Findlay 11- 4-2
2019 Findlay 14- 3-2
2020 Bowling Green State 6- 1-1
2021 Bowling Green State 11- 7-3
2022 Bowling Green State 9- 5-5
2023 Bowling Green State 10- 6-2
2024 Creighton 8-7-2
2025 Creighton 7-8-4
Career Record 191-110-232 (18 seasons)
What Others Are Saying About Jimmy Walker
“Jimmy is one of the most talented coaches in the country. His teams are always tough, talented and organized. Creighton made a great hire when they appointed Jimmy. I have no doubt that Jimmy will be very successful at Creighton.” – Nate Norman, Notre Dame head coach
“Jimmy is a proven winner that has been successful at every place that he has coached. He has an excellent ability to connect with players and he’s known as a quality and relentless recruiter. His teams are always committed and competitive – and certainly not fun to play against! I believe that Jimmy is an excellent hire for Creighton and a great addition to the BIG EAST Conference! - Nate Lie, Xavier head coach
"Jimmy is tremendous at building a culture that gets results. He empowers his athletes to be the best version of themselves, which in turn creates an amazing team atmosphere. Every program he has been at, he has surrounded himself with people who are growth minded and commit the energy and time needed to build the foundation from the ground up. He’s going to do great things at Creighton." – Dave DiIanni, Iowa head coach
