Joe Walker Steps Down as State High Basketball Coach

After four seasons and 70 wins, Joe Walker has resigned as head coach of the State College boys basketball team.

‘It’s a personal decision with where I will prioritize my time,’ Walker said.

Walker was hired in June 2014 to succeed longtime Little Lions head coach Drew Frank. A science teacher, Walker was an all-conference player at Lock Haven and spent four years as coach of the Mount Nittany Middle School basketball team before taking over the State High program.

The Little Lions went 4-18 in 2013-14 but would rebound in Walker’s first season winning the first of what would be four consecutive District 6 titles during his tenure.

State High won Mid-Penn Conference titles each of the past two seasons, going 21-5 in 2016-17 with a run to the PIAA Sweet 16 and 24-2 in 2017-18, advancing to the second round of the state tournament before falling to Pine-Richland. 

During Walker’s stint as head coach, State College went 70-28.

Walker said he is looking forward to spending more time outdoors and assisting his wife with dog trainings, noting that they have their own 10-month-old working line German Shepherd.

‘High school sports are special. State College is a unique and special place,’ he said. ‘The community, teamwork, and second family attitude demonstrated in high school sports are things I wish every person could experience in their life.’