Off the wall: Former Predators player finds new challenges as coach
September 24, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO -- Somehow he knew it would always come down to it...working with kids. He did it as a Predators player, he did it as a member of the team's front office and now Herkie Walls is doing it as a teacher and coach.
Walls is in his second year as Head Coach of Master's Academy, a small non-denominational Christian school located in north Orlando. The Arena Football League Hall of Famer and Predators Ring of Honor inductee says he is enjoying life more than ever, working with young people.
"Other than being a father, this experience has been the most rewarding of my life," Walls said. "I'm at the school by 6:30 a.m. and I don't leave the football practice field until 7:30 p.m., but the time just flies by...I'm loving every minute of it."
Walls was the first Predators player ever, signing with the expansion Orlando team in 1991 after bouncing in and out of the NFL for five years. He would go on to become the team's all-time leading kick returner -- setting records that still stand nearly a decade after his last game.
During his playing days, Walls â along with quarterback Ben Bennett â became the face of the Predators organization. "Those were the two guys that we always sent out in the community," long-time publicist Dan Pearson said. "Herkie and Ben understood better than anyone that being part of the community and being seen were critically important to the survival of Arena Football in Orlando. Consequently it was always Herkie and Ben that were the first to volunteer when we needed to get a player at an event. I can honestly say that neither ever turned down a request to make a public appearance on behalf of the team."
It was during this time that Walls developed a fondness for visiting schools. Whether it was his outgoing personality, his fan friendly demeanor or the fact that kids related to his diminutive stature, he was always in demand as a speaker in schools.
"Herkie had some sort of magic around young kids," Pearson added. "He was almost like a Pied Piper. He would talk and they would flock."
When he became the team's community relations director after retiring as a player, it was Walls who suggested and later created and ran the Predators "Herkies Heroes" and "Fitness is Fun" programs. The programs consisted of Walls visiting schools and lecturing classes on fitness and nutrition, followed by a play session on the Predators inflatables. During the program's four-year run, Walls spread the message of health and nutrition to literally tens of thousands of Central Florida's youth.
Prior to the 2002-03 school year, Master's called and ask if Walls might be interested in becoming the school's head football coach. The team had struggled in recent years. Less than 30 kids in the top four grades were going out for football. Even though Master's played in Florida's Class A with other small schools, the team had struggled â posting back-to-back 3-7 records before Walls' arrival.
"My first reaction was that these kids just didn't know what they were doing. We went back to the basics. We taught these kids the simple things, how to block, how to tackle," Walls said. "It was never a question of attitude with these players. They just never had anyone teach them the right way to do things on a football field."
Walls also compared his Arena Football League experience to his team as Master's. "It's not a whole lot different. In Arena Football, we dressed 20 guys to play eight positions here we dress just 27 guys to play 11 positions. Just like Arena Football, we have to play almost everyone both ways."
Walls back-to-the-basics approach has served him well. In his first season, he rolled off a 6-4 winning record and took a 2-0 mark into this weekend's game. "When it comes right down to it, the won-loss record doesn't matter that much. What's important is that these kids are working so hard, giving all their effort and getting better," Walls added. "When those things happen, the victories will always follow."
As for his future, Walls is not looking too far ahead. "I've thought about coaching at a higher level, maybe even back in the Arena Football League," Walls said. "Obviously you always look for the opportunities. But right now, I am having so much fun. Working with kids is something I love to do."
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