Former NFL cornerback Darrin Walls joins the Incarnate Word coaching staff in January 2026 as the Cardinals’ Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and Cornerbacks Coach serving in the same role he had at Sacramento State in 2025.
Under Walls’ direction in 2025, Sacramento State’s secondary produced standout performances. Jason Oliver earned All-Big Sky honorable mention honors after recording 36 total tackles, two interceptions, and a team-leading eight pass breakups. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 41.9 percent of their throws when targeting Oliver. Ricky Lee III highlighted his season with a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown and added six pass breakups, while Lamont Johnson-Burrell contributed two interceptions.
Prior to his arrival in Sacramento, Walls spent four seasons at UAlbany, serving as cornerbacks coach from 2021–24 and co-defensive coordinator from 2023–24. As a key architect of the Great Danes’ defense, Walls helped guide UAlbany to a historic 2023 campaign that culminated in the program’s first NCAA FCS semifinal appearance and its first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship.
That season, the Great Dane defense led the nation in rushing defense, allowing an FCS-best 87.6 yards per game and just 11 rushing touchdowns. Within the CAA, UAlbany ranked first in yards per play allowed (4.9), third in yards per game (322.5), and third in touchdowns allowed (33). Walls’ secondary played a pivotal role in the unit’s success, recording 17 interceptions across 15 games and enabling the defensive line to compile 50 sacks. All-American Amir Hall paced the secondary with five interceptions, tied for fourth most nationally, and led the FCS in total passes defended. In 2024, Walls also mentored Erv Wiggins Jr., who earned Freshman All-America honors after starting every game as a true freshman.
Before transitioning into coaching, Walls enjoyed a six-year career in the National Football League. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2011 following a collegiate career at Notre Dame, and later joined the New York Jets that same year. Walls was activated from the practice squad on November 22, 2011, making his NFL debut on Thanksgiving Night against the New England Patriots. He appeared in six games as a rookie and made his first career start in the season finale against Buffalo. In 2014, Walls became a full-time starter at right cornerback for the Jets, leading the team with 12 passes defended and tying for the team lead with two interceptions. He concluded his playing career after signing with the Detroit Lions in 2016.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Walls is a graduate of Woodland Hills High School, where he was the #1 Cornerback in the country in 2006.
Coaching Experience
2025: Sacramento State - Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks
2021–24: Albany — Co-Defensive Coordinator / Cornerbacks
2020: Slippery Rock — Defensive Backs
2017–19: Baldwin High School — Defensive Coordinator
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