IMG Academy has hired former University of Miami and NFL quarterback Steve Walsh as its football director.

Walsh was 23-1 with a national championship (1987) at Miami before spent 11 seasons in the NFL for multiple teams. He coached Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach to an 11-1-1 record in 2011.

"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.”

IMG also named Kevin Wright as its football coach. Wright comes from Indiana's Carmel High School, where he was 54-11 with a state championship in 2011.

Walsh and Wright replace former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke, who left to become the quarterbacks coach of the St. Louis Rams.

IMG said 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. IMG does not participate in the FHAA playoffs.