Though Tim Walker has been removed as head men's basketball coach at Montana State University-Northern, the former coach is not bitter or disappointed.
Reflecting back on a Northern coaching career that included three years as an assistant coach before taking over the head job four years ago, Walker said, "I've had some great times at the university and with the people of Havre."
Northern's 71-55 record during Walker's tenure was second among all Frontier Conference schools. Walker was named the conference's coach of the year following the 1997-98 season.
That year Northern reached the NAIA national tournament, winning its first-round game before losing to eventual champion Georgetown, Ky.
"I really think we did things right," Walker said. "I have no regrets about anything we tried to do."
Northern finished conference play 7-7 this year and 13-15 overall. The Lights won five of their final seven regular-season games before losing to Lewis-Clark State in the first round of the conference tournament.
Walker, who is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College and earned a master's degree in counseling from Northern, is very content with the graduation rate of athletes in his program.
"I'm also pleased with the fact that at the end of next fall's semester we should have 16 out of 18 former seniors with degrees," he said. "That's the best feeling for me."
Northern athletic director Ted Spatkowski said, "On behalf of the institution, we would like to thank Coach Walker for his service to the college and especially his work with the Lights basketball program."
The university announced it will begin a nationwide search for a new coach shortly following spring break.
