IMG hires former NFL QB Steve Walsh and new head football coach Kevin Wright

MANATEE -- Former University of Miami and NFL quarterback Steve Walsh was named IMG Academy's newest football director Monday while Kevin Wright, who led tradition-rich Carmel (Ind.) High's football program, was named IMG's head coach.

Walsh spent 11 seasons in the NFL for various teams, including the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears, after a college career at the University of Miami where he compiled a 23-1 record as the starting quarterback as well as claiming a national title in 1987.

Most recently, Walsh was the head coach at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman.

"After six great seasons with Cardinal Newman, I am looking forward to this next challenge with IMG Academy,” Walsh said in a news release. “It’s exciting to be able to share my high school, collegiate and professional playing and coaching experiences with these student-athletes, while also assisting IMG in continuing to attract and develop talented players of all levels from around the world.”

Wright was with Carmel High the last five seasons. During his tenure, Carmel reached three state title games and won the 2011 Class 6A championship, which yielded a No. 8 national ranking in USA Today at the conclusion of the season.

“I’m looking forward to joining a young, exciting program at IMG Academy after five enjoyable seasons with Carmel,” Wright said in a news release. “It’s particularly attractive to join a program founded on the principle that’s long been at the core of everything I live by as a coach – developing young leaders who can find as much success in the classroom and in their community as they can on the field. I’m eager to contribute to IMG’s building of a proud legacy similar to the one my family has contributed to for half a century within the state of Indiana.”

The Ascenders' offensive coordinator, E.G. Green, was promoted to assistant head coach.

According to the release, Walsh's role will focus more on the overall football program's development, including camps, events and collegiate/professional training opportunities, while Wright will lead IMG football teams. The Ascenders went 9-1 last year after tallying an 8-2 mark in their inaugural season in 2013.

This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 8:58 PM with the headline "IMG hires former NFL QB Steve Walsh and new head football coach Kevin Wright."