UNM FOOTBALL
Lobos bring in former NFL assistant to coach receivers
Walch joins the Lobos after five seasons as a player development assistant with the Browns
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For the second time in the last month, the Lobos’ coaching staff is back to full strength.
Former Cleveland Browns director of player development Carson Walch has been named New Mexico’s wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, the program announced Friday via release.
The 47-year-old is set to return to on-field coaching following five years in the Browns’ front office. Along with Zach Lujan, Erik Link and Darrius G. Smith, he is the fourth assistant hired by UNM this offseason after as many assistants left for new roles at Power Four schools.
“Carson brings a wealth of knowledge, including NFL coaching experience as a receivers coach,” head coach Jason Eck said in a news release. “He will be a terrific addition to our staff, and I’m excited for our receivers' room.”
Lujan — who was tabbed to replace former receivers coach Colin Lockett — will coach the Lobos’ tight ends after Walch's hire, per the release. Former tight ends coach Jared Elliott left for the same role at Illinois last week.
“Coach Lujan is just a smart, skilled coach,” Eck said in a news conference Monday. “I really think he could coach any position on offense, except for the offensive line.”
As Cleveland’s director of player development, Walch’s role entailed “strengthening the team's on-field skill development and off-field strategies to accomplish player-related goals,” per the Browns. He initially joined the team in 2021 as a player development coordinator after 20 years as an on-field coach, highlighted by four years as an NFL assistant.
Walch first coached in the NFL as an assistant wide receivers coach for the Chicago Bears from 2013-14, helping Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery earn Pro Bowl nods in that span. He also coached the Philadelphia Eagles’ receivers in 2018 and 2019.
For five seasons, Walch coached in the Canadian Football League, working with the Edmonton Eskimos (2016-17) and Montreal Alouettes (2010-12). In 2017, he served as the Eskimos' offensive coordinator, helping the team average 28.3 points per game.
An Elgin, Minnesota native, Walch was an All-America running back, receiver and returner at Winona State from 1996-99. He began his coaching career with the Warriors in 2000 and held positions at Dakota State and St. Thomas before returning to his alma mater, where he overlapped with UNM head coach Jason Eck for two seasons.
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.
