A  beloved Central Texas coach has passed away after an 8-year battle with cancer.

Liberty Hill ISD announced Tuesday that head coach and athletics coordinator Phillip Jefferson Walker was surrounded by his wife, two daughters, brothers, and mother when he died Tuesday.

Walker served as the Liberty Hill football offensive coordinator from 2004 to 2007, and helped the Liberty Hill Panthers win the Class 3A championships in '06 and '07.

From 2008 to 2014, Walker was head coach at Rogers High School, during which time his teams averaged 50 points per game and had a 59-13 record.

Walker returned to Liberty Hill in 2015 to teach at Liberty Hill Junior High School and coach his daughters' little league teams. In 2017, he accepted the position of head coach and athletic director at Liberty Hill ISD after the retirement of Coach Jerry Vance. Coach Walker's Panthers are currently 8-0 headed into the playoffs.

Before his passing, Superintendent Steven Snell told Coach Walker, "This place is better because you were here and these kids are much better because you coached, improved them, loved them, and built champions."

Liberty Hill ISD officials said Tuesday that Walker continued to coach while undergoing treatment and, despite painful side effects, rarely missed practice. They described him as a fighter with a passionate drive who set high expectations for those around him and continuously raised the bar. More that that, they said, Coach Walker will be membered for the love he had for his family.

Rogers ISD officials released a statement Tuesday as well, writing on Facebook:

It is with great sadness that Rogers ISD learned this morning of the passing of Coach Jeff Walker. Coach Walker has been the Head Coach at Liberty Hill for the past 4 years and was the Head Coach at Rogers from 2008-2014. Coach Walker was a tremendous coach and a better person. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Walker Family.



Our heartfelt condolences go out to Coach Walker's family and everyone who was touched by dedication both on and off the field. If you've ever played a school sport or been inspired by a teacher, you know what a tremendous impact our coaches and favorite teachers can have on us, and how that has a positive ripple effect on those around us.

Coach Walker was much beloved by the Central Texas community, and that spirit will certainly live on.

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