&sq=&lang=&file=File:Ryan_Walters_Purdue.jpg) Walters in 2023 | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Purdue |
| Conference | Big Ten |
| Record | 5–16 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | January 21, 1986 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 2004–2008 | Colorado |
| Position(s) | Safety |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2009 | Colorado (SA) |
| 2010 | Arizona (GA) |
| 2011 | Arizona (DB) |
| 2012 | Oklahoma (GA) |
| 2013 | North Texas (CB) |
| 2014 | Memphis (CB) |
| 2015 | Missouri (S) |
| 2016–2017 | Missouri (co-DC/S) |
| 2018–2020 | Missouri (DC/S) |
| 2021–2022 | Illinois (DC) |
| 2023–Present | Purdue |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 5–16 |
Ryan Walters (born January 21, 1986) is an American college football coach and former safety. He is the head football coach for Purdue University, a position he has held since 2023. He played college football for Colorado from 2004 to 2008. He then served as the defensive coordinator for the Missouri Tigers (2018–2020) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (2021–2022).
Walters was born in Los Angeles, California. His father, Marc, was a quarterback for Colorado. He attended Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado. After graduation from high school, he accepted a football scholarship to the University of Colorado Boulder. After spending his freshman season as a redshirt, he converted from quarterback to safety. He started for three seasons, helping the Buffaloes to two bowl games, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference as a senior.
After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL draft, Walters turned to coaching, eventually being named the youngest (25 years old) position coach in the Pac-10 Conference during the 2011 season. After various stops along the way, Walters was promoted to defensive coordinator for the Missouri Tigers (2018–2020) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (2021–2022). On December 13, 2022, he was named the 37th head coach in the history of Purdue University.