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Curtis Walker became the Head Football Coach at Catawba in December of 2012. He returned to his alma mater after spending one season as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Western Carolina University. Prior to his year in Cullowhee, Walker spent 10 years as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Coastal Carolina University.
In 2015, Walker was named the South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year after guiding Catawba to its first SAC Championship since 2007 and a spot in the NCAA II Playoffs. The Indians went 9-3 and claimed the outright SAC title with a 6-1 mark, finishing the regular season with seven straight wins.
During Walker's 10 seasons in Conway, the Chanticleers had four players on the defensive side garner All-America accolades, while players within his defense earned a combined 44 All-Big South accolades as the Chanticleers captured three straight Big South Conference titles (2004-06). Coastal also won the league championship in 2010.
Under Walker, Coastal led the league in pass defense in 2006, '07 and `08. On the strength of 18 interceptions in `07, the Chanticleers ranked sixth nationally in turnover margin (1.36). In 2006, Coastal's defense tied for the national lead with 19 interceptions. Walker's defense led the nation in pass efficiency defense and contributed to the top turnover margin in the country, setting a Big South record at plus 22. Coastal twice led the nation in interceptions, getting 19 in 2006 and 27 in 2004.
Walker was a four-year starter and three-time All-American linebacker for Catawba in 1989-92, graduating in 1992 with a degree in sociology. He was inducted into the Catawba Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2008. Walker was Catawba’s team most valuable player in 1991 and served as team captain in 1992.
Walker still holds the Catawba single game record for tackles with 25 stops against Wofford in 1991. He also still owns the all-time single season record for fumble recoveries with six, also set in 1991. Walker earned All-America honors his final three seasons, including first team accolades as a senior in 1992.
Following graduation from Catawba and a two-year coaching period at Salisbury High School, Walker joined the staff at Catawba in 1995. He coached the linebackers and began coordinating all recruiting in 1997. Walker was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2001 and the Indians were ranked first in Division II in scoring defense and 15th in total defense.
At Catawba, Walker was a part of three South Atlantic Conference championships (1996, 2000 and 2001) and three NCAA playoff appearances (1999, 2000 and 2001). The Indians were a combined 22-3 in 2000-01, a lot of the success due to a suffocating defense. Catawba allowed just 13.5 points per game during those 25 games.
A native of Burlington, NC, Walker was a two-time football all-conference performer at Graham High School, prior to graduating in 1988. He was the Mid-State Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.
Walker and his wife, Sheka, have two sons; Jalon and Curtis II.
Offensive Coordinator
Alma Mater: Illinois '03
E-mail: dwward18@catawba.edu
Office Phone: (704) 645-4503
Dustin Ward has been hired as Offensive Coordinator for the Catawba Football Program, announced by Head Coach Curtis Walker. Ward comes to Catawba after serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at VMI.
While at VMI, Ward mentored Al Cobb, the school’s all-time leading passer. In 2015, Cobb finished 11th in the nation in total yards. Prior to his stint at VMI, Ward served on the staffs at Concord University from 2011-14 and at DePauw University from 2007-10 as offensive coordinator.
Concord posted a 25-12 during Ward’s tenure and twice won conference championships and twice made the NCAA II Playoffs. In 2014, the Mountain Lions won the regional title and advanced to the national semifinals.
Ward coached 32 all-conference performers at Concord, had six all-region selections with five All-Americans. Concord averaged 42.4 points in 2014, which ranked 10th in the nation as he groomed Brian Novak to a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award. Novak threw for 3,730 yards with 33 touchdowns and a 172.33 efficiency, which ranked second in the nation. Novak would surpass Ward’s previous signal caller, Zach Grossi, as the school’s all-time leading passer.
DePauw garnered its first two appearances in the NCAA playoffs during Ward’s time with the Tigers. Compiling a 32-9 record, DePauw won a pair of Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference titles. He coached Spud Dick, the school’s all-time leading passer and a top four finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, completing 71.3% of his passes and averaging 320.8 yards a game to stand eighth in the nation.
Ward had begun his coaching career at DePauw in 2004 as running backs coach as the Tigers set the school’s all-time rushing record. He served as a recruiting assistant at Indiana in 2005 and as an assistant at Saint Joseph’s College in 2006, helping them to a conference title.
Ward was a four-year letterwinner at Illinois where he graduated in 2003. As quarterback for the Fighting Illini, Ward threw for 1,946 yards and 12 touchdowns in 22 career games. He was a two-time winner of the Chancellor’s Award.
Ward resides in Denver, N.C., with his wife, Katie.
Marco Butler rejoined the football staff as the defensive coordinator in the summer of 2020. In addition to his coordinating duties, he will coach the cornerbacks.
Butler was with Catawba in 2017, when he also coached the cornerbacks, including All-SAC and honorable mention All-America selection Cris Page. That season, the Catawba Indians posted a dozen interceptions and 44 pass breakups. The secondary allowed just six touchdown passes and limited teams to 47% pass completions. Catawba went 9-2 and earned a win over NCAA I VMI during the 2017 campaign.
Over the past two seasons, Butler coached at Gardner-Webb University. In 2018, he coached outside linebackers and cornerbacks in 2019 as well as special teams both years. He mentored 2019 Academic All-Big South, Cam McCuthcheon.
Butler has nearly 20 years of coaching experience, including Division I stops at Hampton (2014) and Norfolk State (2005-2013). Butler also has college coaching experience at Division II Fayetteville State. He also served as head Track & Field coach at Fayetteville State in 2004-2005.
Prior to his first stint at Catawba, Butler spent a year as defensive backs coach at Independence (N.C.) High in Charlotte. Each of Butler’s stops on the coaching circuit have seen him work on the defensive side of the football with several stints working with special teams.
Butler began his coaching career at Fayetteville State University in 2001 and was on staff for a pair of conference championships teams and three NCAA II playoff squads. In 2005, he joined the staff at Norfolk State University.
At Norfolk State, Butler served as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. In 2011, Norfolk State claimed the MEAC Championship and earned the school’s first berth in the FCS Playoffs with a defense that ranked second in the nation in total defense and fourth in scoring defense. Butler’s 2013 secondary ranked seventh in the nation in pass defense. The Spartan defense ranked second overall with 19 interceptions and third with 33 total takeaways. Butler moved to Hampton University for the 2014 season where he was the defensive backs coach and serves as the interim defensive coordinator.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Butler has served NFL Coaching Fellowships with the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. He attended the NCAA-NFL Coaching Academy in Orlando, Fla., in 2011. Butler has coached five players who have been signed in the NFL, including Don Carey, a 2009 NFL Draftee by the Cleveland Browns.
Butler played receiver and defensive back at Western Carolina. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in sports management and a minor in marketing.
Butler and his wife, Shauna, have two children, a daughter, Eva, and a son, Marco.
Former Catawba standout player, Radell Lockhart, became an assistant coach with the program in 2006 and helped the Indians to the 2015 SAC Championship and a breth in the NCAA II playoffs. A 2001 Catawba graduate, Lockhart earned a degree in recreation. He serves his alma mater as defensive line coach, equipment coordinator and pro liason, positions he has held since 2013.
In 2017, the Indians ranked 20th nationally in scoring defense and 36th in total defense. Kyle Kitchens (1st), Jordan Hemingway (2nd) and Omar Staley (2nd) were 2017 all-conference selection. The 2015 team finished second nationally in scoring defense (15.8 ppg). The 2007 defense finished 12th nationally in total defense (248.5 ypg).
Lockhart has served on the Catawba coaching staff since 2006 as a defensive line coach. During his 12 seasons, he has been part of a staff that led Catawba to 75 victories, two SAC Championships, a pair of Division II playoff appearances and two Top 25 finishes in the final polls. He added the titles of equipment coordinator and pro liason in 2013.
As a player, Lockhart was named South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-America honors in 2000, captaining the team that captured the SAC title. He was named to three All-America teams as he recorded 10 sacks and 31 stops for losses. Lockhart holds the school record with 103 tackles for loss and had 27
sacks.
Lockhart was an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars and had stints with the New York Giants, New York Jets and San Diego Chargers. He played three seasons in NFL Europe, two with the Scottish Claymores and one with the Frankfurt Galaxy. He helped the Galaxy to an appearance in the 2004 World Bowl.
Lockhart, a native of Charlotte, N.C., was an outstanding player Independence High School. He resides in Salisbury with Leslie Dent, a 2009 East Carolina graduate and works at Catawba in athletic training. They have a daughter, Penelope (2).
Corey Ready started as an assistant coach with the Catawba football program in 2009. He is a 2006 Catawba graduate with a degree in sports management. Ready coaches the wide receivers.
At Catawba, Ready was a three-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection at wide receiver. He set school marks for receptions and receiving yards in a career, finishing with 190 catches for 2,976 yards. In 2003, he established school marks with 70 receptions for 1,043 yards, earning all-region honors.
Ready, a native of Aiken, SC, resides in Concord with Patrice Brown. They have two daughters, Meliyah and Ariyah.
Waymond Jackson joined the Catawba Football staff as safeties coach in the spring of 2018. He comes to Catawba with eight years of coaching experience, most recently at East Ridge High School, where he served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He will coach the safeties at Catawba and work with the special teams.
Jackson began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of South Carolina, in 2010 under Head Coach Steve Spurrier and Defensive Coordinators Ellis Johnson and Lorenzo Ward. During his time on staff, the Gamecocks boasted a combined record of 31-9 and registered wins in both the Capital One and Outback Bowls. Jackson served as interim linebackers coach during the Capital One Bowl victory.
In 2011, the Gamecocks finished 11-2 with a No. 8 national ranking. The following year, South Carolina repeated with an 11-2 slate, finishing the year ranked No. 7 in the country. The team ranked fifth in sacks (47), 13th in scoring defense, 17th in rushing defense, and 11th in total defense. Also in 2012, Jackson directly coach the spur/nickel position for the Gamecocks. The spur that year, Devonte Holloman, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
In addition to coaching at the University of South Carolina, Jackson spent the past five seasons as a defensive coordinator in the high school ranks. He has coached in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. His high school stops have been highlighted by one Shrine Bowl selection, one Under-Armour All American selection, a state leader in interceptions, a state-leading defense in sacks, and the Tally Johnson assistant of the year award.
A native of Easley, S.C. and a product of Wren High School, Jackson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from South Carolina. He resides in Charlotte, N.C. with his wife, Ashley.
Tim Pangburn joined the Catawba football staff in 2016. In 2020, he took over as offensive line coach. He previously coached the tight ends while also being coordinator for Academics, Camps, and Assistant Recruiting Coordinator.
Before taking over the tight ends in 2016, Pangburn assisted head football coach Curtis Walker and the offensive staff with the offensive line, operations, recruiting, video and social media.
Pangburn, a Catawba College graduate who earned his bachelor of science in physical education, was also a three-year starter on the offensive line. He finished his playing career by helping the Catawba Indians win the 2015 South Atlantic Conference Championship and earn an NCAA playoff appearance.
The Rowan County, N.C., native was a two-time football all-state performer at West Rowan High School where he won two State Championships (2008 and 2009) prior to graduating in 2010.
rey Evans joined the Catawba College Football Staff as an Assistant Coach prior to the 2019 season. Evans returned to his alma mater to coach linebacker and made the move to running backs coach in 2020.
A 2017 graduate with a degree in physical education, Evans served as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Salisbury High School in 2018.
At Catawba, Evans was a two-time first team all-conference pick at linebacker. Over four years, he totaled 250 tackles with 39 going for losses.
Evans is a native of Barnsville, GA, where he was a standout at Lamar County High School.
Joe Pinyan joined the Catawba Football Staff in the spring of 2019. He previously served as the Head Football Coach at Jesse Carson High School (2013-2019) and Salisbury High School (2003-2012). He will be coaching tight ends after coaching outside linebackers in 2019.
Pinyan’s tenure as a Head Football Coach in Rowan County, covering sixteen years, included thirteen playoff appearances. The playoff appearance in 2010 concluded with a State Championship victory for Salisbury High School. On two other occasions at Salisbury High School (2009 and 2012), the playoff trail ended in the Western Finals---one game shy of a State Championship appearance in those seasons. Combining the two head coaching stints, his teams won 128 games in sixteen years.
Throughout his coaching career at the High School level, Pinyan was selected as an Assistant Coach for the North Carolina Shrine Bowl staff in 2007 and named Head Coach for the North Carolina Coaches Association (NCCA) West All Stars in 2011. He served a four-year term on the Board of Directors for the NCCA (2012-2016), President of the NCCA (2017-18), and NCCA Past President (2018-2019).
Before becoming a Head Football Coach, Pinyan was an assistant for fourteen years at Mooresville High School and prior to that, two years at East Rowan High School.
Pinyan graduated from Appalachian State University (BS in Recreation, MA in Physical Education/Athletic Administration). He resides in Salisbury with his wife, Gina. They have a son, Matthew, who resides in New York and a daughter, Amie, who lives in Charlotte with her husband, Riley.
Rodney Goodine rejoined the Catawba Football Staff in the summer of 2020 to coach linebackers. His first stint at his alma mater was as linebacker coach from 1995-99.
A 1991 Catawba graduate, Goodine earned a degree in psychology with a minor in sociology. The Hall of Fame linebacker was a four-year starter, earning All-America honors his final two seasons. A native of Taccoa, Ga., Goodine was three-sport standout at Seneca High School.
Goodine resides in Salisbury with his wife, Bridgette. They have a two sons, Javin and Jordan. Jordan is an incoming freshman at Catawba for the fall of 2020.