ORU names Walton as Golloway's successor

<br>TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Oral Roberts pitching coach Rob Walton will succeed Sunny Golloway following the head baseball coach's departure to the University of Oklahoma. <br><br>Walton, who just completed

Wednesday, June 11th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Oral Roberts pitching coach Rob Walton will succeed Sunny Golloway following the head baseball coach's departure to the University of Oklahoma.

Walton, who just completed his fifth season as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, was promoted Tuesday upon the announcement that Golloway would rejoin the Sooners staff.

``With a strong cast of returning players, President Richard Roberts and I thought it was essential that we act quickly to keep the team intact and the program strong,'' said ORU athletic director Mike Carter.

Golloway had a 335-156 record at Oral Roberts. He coached 16 All-Americans and 25 of his ORU players have been drafted or have signed professional contracts.

Carter also credited Walton, a former Oklahoma State pitching star, in helping to build a Golden Eagles program that has won six consecutive Mid-Continent Tournament titles and subsequent NCAA regional berths.

``It's exciting to be the new head coach at ORU,'' Walton said, ``and I look forward to continuing what Sunny has done here. It will be tough to follow him but I look forward to the challenge.''

Golloway will serve as an assistant coach under Oklahoma coach Larry Cochell. Golloway worked with Cochell as an assistant during the 1990s when the Sooners made three appearances in the College World Series and won the 1994 NCAA title.

Golloway said Tuesday he and his family were excited about returning to Norman to help ``lead OU back to Omaha,'' where the College World Series is played.

``I just feel like we needed to do something to get our program where we all want it to be,'' Cochell said. ``Sunny has been very successful as a head coach. Bringing him to the Sooner family is special.''

Golloway was named Mid-Continent Conference Coach of the Year in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002.

The Golden Eagles went 41-20 this past season and reached the NCAA regional in College Station, Texas, before being eliminated by Houston on May 31.