Eskimos coach Hall adds defensive duties

Head coach Richie Hall will also be the Edmonton Eskimos defensive co-ordinator next season, the CFL club announced Wednesday.

Hall will take over from Jim Daley, who served in that capacity last season before stepping down.

Hall is no stranger to running a defence. He spent eight seasons as the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive co-ordinator before being named the Eskimos' head coach prior to the '09 campaign.

"I look forward to taking over the defensive co-ordinator duties," Hall said in a statement Wednesday. "I'm excited to be more involved with the defence and I look forward to [continuing] to build on what was established by the coaches in 2009."

Edmonton also named Mike Walker, a former Eskimos defensive lineman, as its defensive line coach.

Walker spent 11 years (1997-2007) at his alma mater, Washington State, working with the defensive line.

He spent 10 seasons in the CFL with Hamilton (1982-'89) and Edmonton (1990-'91). He was named an East Division all-star four times and a league all-star on three occasions. He also appeared in four Grey Cup games, winning in '86 with Hamilton.

"We are excited to have Mike as a part of our coaching staff," Hall said. "His depth of knowledge and experience will be a great asset to us.

"He knows football, he knows talent and he knows what it means to be an Eskimo."