UAB Football- March 12, 2014

UAB Head Coach Bill Clark (left) and Defensive Coordinator Duwan Walker watch action during the first spring football practice session in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, March 12, 2014. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com) ORG XMIT: ALBIN

(MARK ALMOND)

Duwan Walker, a longtime assistant and close friend of UAB head coach Bill Clark, has resigned his position as defensive coordinator for the Blazers.

Walker came to UAB with Clark in January 2014 after serving as defensive coordinator at Jacksonville State. He also coached with Clark at South Alabama and Prattville High School.

The two have coached together since 1999. Walker stepped down to go into private business.

"It's bittersweet but I couldn't be happier for him," Clark told AL.com. "Personally, you can't replace a guy like Duwan."

Current defensive line coach David Reeves has been promoted to defensive coordinator to replace Walker.

"Literally, he was family," Clark said. "His kids were my godkids. When a guy gets a chance to do something special in the private sector, and this is something he kind of fell into in the time off we had. Duwan's faith is really important to him and he felt like he had to go on a different path.

"David Reeves has been with me for a while and my defensive staff has been with me for a while. We have one spot to replace. I wish Duwan the best and he's going to be terrific in what he's doing next."

This is the second coaching change for Clark at UAB in the last month. Mike Bennefield resigned as offensive line coach in early May. Trey Clark, who came to UAB in January from Jacksonville State to work as head strength and conditioning coach, will replace him.