Joe Walton

Joseph Frank Walton (born December 15, 1935) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Robert Morris University. Walton played eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and served as head coach of the New York Jets for seven seasons. He has also served as an assistant coach for several NFL teams.

Early life and playing career
Walton was born in Beaver Falls, Beaver County, Pennsylvania in 1935, the son of former Washington Redskins guard Frank "Tiger" Walton. Joe Walton attended the University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship. While there, Walton helped lead the Pitt Panthers to the 1956 Sugar Bowl following the 1955 season and then to the 1956 Gator Bowl in his senior season. In 1956 he was named the co-captain of Pitt's team, was a unanimous selection as a first-team All-American, and was named the Academic All-American team. Walton was drafted in the second round of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Walton played for eight years in the NFL for the Redskins and the New York Giants.

NFL
Walton later served as running backs coach of the Washington Redskins from 1974–77 and offensive coordinator from 1978-80. Walton served as the head coach of the New York Jets from 1983 to 1989 and his teams achieved a 53-57-1 record. He served as the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990 to 1991 serving under Coach Chuck Noll.

College
On July 27, 1993, Walton was named the head coach of the newly formed Robert Morris University football team. Walton created the team from scratch and turned the Colonials into an instant powerhouse. His teams won five Northeast Conference championships and two NCAA. Walton was included on the ballot of the 2004 College Football Hall of Fame.

In 2005, Robert Morris University opened Joe Walton Stadium, new home to the RMU Colonials. His main task now lies in rebuilding the Colonials to a new powerhouse as the Northeast Conference is now permitting its teams to dole out 30+ scholarships. He is signed through 2013 to remain the head coach at Robert Morris, at which time he is expected to step down.