He played college football as a center at the University of Notre Dame where he was an All-American and captain of the 1924 team under Knute Rockne.

He also coached the Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) in 1945 and 1946, tallying a mark of 15–5–1.

Walsh was an outstanding athlete at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, and earned varsity letters in basketball, track, and football at the University of Notre Dame.

Walsh was an All-American center and captain of the 1924 Notre Dame football team under head coach Knute Rockne.

Though Bowdoin had been winless the prior year, Walsh began his 20-year coaching career at the college with a state championship.