James J. Walker (American football)

James J. Walker

Biographical details
Born	(1918-05-13)May 13, 1918 Macon, Georgia
Died	October 1, 1975(1975-10-01) (aged 57) Xenia, Ohio
Playing career
1939–1942	Iowa
Position(s)	Tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1947–1956	Central State (line)
1957–1964	Central State
1967–1973	Central State
Head coaching record
Overall	60–54–3
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
Chicago Tribune All-Star (1942)

James J. Walker (May 13, 1918 – October 1, 1975) was an American college football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio from 1957 to 1964 and 1967 to 1971.

Born in Macon, Georgia, Walker graduated Washington High School in South Bend, Indiana before attending the University of Iowa, where he played football for the Iowa Hawkeyes under head coach Eddie Anderson. After service in the United States Coast Guard during World War II and two years playing professional football with the Oakland Giants, Walker joined the coaching staff at Central State as an assistant to Gaston F. Lewis before succeeding Lewis as head football coach in 1957. He was also an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education at Central State and briefly coached the school's baseball team. Walker died on October 1, 1975 at Green Memorial Hospital, in Xenia, Ohio, following a brief illness.