CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Northwest High School’s Athletic Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Eddie Walker as Head Girls Basketball Coach and Robert Baskin as Head Baseball Coach.
Walker will replace Coach Kelly Parker who decided to step down from the head coaching position in order to spend more time with her family.
Walker, who hails from Savannah, TN, earned his bachelor’s degree from Freed-Hardeman University, his masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Memphis, and his Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Christian Brothers University. In addition to serving as a basketball coach, Walker will be joining the Northwest High School faculty this fall as a Government and World History and Geography teacher.
Walker, who has several years of prior coaching experience states, “Basketball has been a significant part of my life as a player and as a coach for most of my life, and if I could turn back time, I would play again. Coaching allows me to still be a part of a game I love.”
Coach Walker has served as coach for JV Boys and Varsity Boys basketball at Collierville High School. He also held the Head Boys Varsity coach position at Perry County High School, and the Freshmen and Assistant Varsity coach at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, TN. He has also coached at St. Mary’s in Memphis and Hickman County Middle School.
When asked about his new coaching position, Walker replied, “I am excited to take over a program at an excellent school in a town that I enjoy. Dr. Muckleroy has a vision of excellence that pervades all aspects of a school, including athletics. Coach Kelly Parker has the same vision of excellence, and I know she has set the proper foundation for future successes. Teaching and coaching basketball at the high school level is always an opportunity to have a positive impact on students both on and off the court.”
Northwest High School’s Athletic Director, Jessica Peppard, said, “Coach Walker has a wealth of previous coaching experience, and we have no doubt he will continue to grow our basketball program in order to maintain our standard of excellence in the classroom as well as on the court. I am confident he will utilize the strong foundation built by Coach Parker and take our basketball program to the next level.”
Baskin will replace Coach Dan Stephens who decided to step down from the head coaching position in order to spend more time with his family.
Baskin earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Physical Education from Tennessee State University.
Baskin is a Nashville native; however, his wife is a graduate of Northwest High School, which prompted the family to move to the area last year when Coach Baskin joined the Vikings faculty in 2014 as the In-School Suspension teacher and Offensive Coordinator for the Northwest High School football team.
Baskin has many years of prior coaching experience. Coach Baskin served as Assistant Baseball Coach at McGavock High School where he coached from 2007-2012. He then held the head coaching position at Hillsboro High School from 2010-2013. Baskin has also coached many summer youth baseball teams, to include the 2012 Music City Elite 12U State Champions. Along with baseball experience, Baskin has several years of experience, dating back to 1997, coaching wrestling and football. Baskin will continue to hold his position as Offensive Coordinator for the Northwest High School Vikings Football program.
When asked about his new coaching position, Baskin replied, “I am excited to be a part of the Northwest High School community, and I am extremely excited that Dr. Muckleroy and the administrative team has given me this opportunity. Baseball is a passion for me because it is a thinking man’s game that brings out the joy of youth in all of us. I have some pretty big shoes to fill; Coach Stephens has done a great job with this program and has laid a very solid foundation. He has this program headed in the right direction. I plan to continue the hard work that he has established in this program, and we will continue to reach for excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.”
Northwest High School’s Athletic Director, Marlon Heaston, said, “Coach Baskin has a wealth of previous head coaching experience and is already familiar with the Viking Community. Baskin has built and will continue to build great relationships with our students. I am confident he will utilize the strong foundation build by Coach Stephens and take our baseball program to the next level.”
For more information on Northwest athletics, please contact Northwest High School at (931) 648-5675.