Catholic private school, Mount de Sales Academy, located in Macon, Georgia, has announced the return of Mike Walton to his alma mater to serve as head basketball coach during the 2026-27 school year. This year is also the 150-year anniversary of Mount de Sales Academy’s founding. 

Mike Walton is a 1999 graduate of Mount de Sales Academy. During his time as a student, Walton played on both the basketball and football teams, earning state championship titles in both. He was part of the winning team in 1996 for the football state championship and in 1998 for the basketball state championship. Walton earned five letters in basketball and was named All-City, All-Region, and All-State in 1997, 1998, and 1999. As a senior, Walton competed in the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) Class AAA North-South All-Star Game. Following his senior season, he was named GISA Class AAA Player of the Year by the Macon Touchdown Club and the GISA. 

Upon graduating from Mount de Sales Academy, Walton attended Rice University, where he received a Division I basketball scholarship. Walton was a four-year letterman at Rice from 1999 to 2003. He graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to come back to my alma mater and lead the program that so positively affected my basketball journey,” Mike Walton shared. “I want to thank Athletic Director Kenny Epps and President Brendan O’Kane for trusting me with the responsibility of leading the boys basketball program. Coach Taylor has done a great job with the program the last several years, and has left it in great shape. I’m excited to get in and get to work.”

Walton brings both high school and collegiate experience to the role. He previously served for three years, from 2011 to 2014, as head basketball coach and assistant athletic director at Wesleyan. He also worked one year from 2008 to 2009 as director of men’s basketball operations at South Carolina State, an NCAA Division I program.

“Mike’s deep understanding of the Mount de Sales culture, combined with his experience as both a player and coach at the Division I level, makes him an exceptional addition to our program,” Kenny Epps, athletic director and a 2004 graduate of Mount de Sales Academy, shared. “His proven ability to develop student-athletes positions our players for success, while also elevating the profile of Mount de Sales as a premier destination for aspiring collegiate basketball players.”