Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce that Dave Walkosky has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Walkosky is entering his second season in the CFL in 2012 after serving as the Stampeders’ linebackers coach in 2011.

“Dave has gained a tremendous amount of coaching experience through his travels,” said Hufnagel. “Not only has he been a defensive coordinator, but he has also coached all three defensive positions — defensive backs, linebackers and defensive line — and been a head coach and special teams coordinator. His overall knowledge of the game, plus his passion for teaching winning football, highly influenced my decision. When I first hired Dave as linebackers coach last year, I felt he would grow into the coordinator role and I like the continuity this decision brings to our team.”

Prior to his time with the Stamps, Walkosky was head coach at Tiffin University in Ohio for three years. Walkosky’s 20-year coaching career also includes assistant coaching positions at Washington State, Toledo, Tennessee-Martin, Waynesburg College and Memphis.

Hufnagel expects Walkosky to contribute to the Stamps’ history of strong defensive units.

“We’ve had a highly-ranked defence in recent seasons and I’m confident we will maintain that standard under Dave’s leadership,” said Hufnagel. “I look forward to seeing his intense personality reflected in our style of defence.”