Watkins was named head coach of Gonzaga women’s soccer in December 2016.
In his first season as head coach, the Zags reached the 10-win plateau for the first time since 2007. It was only the sixth time in program history that GU reached double-digit wins a season. The Bulldogs had the best start to a season in program history and broke several team records. Gonzaga scored the most goals (39), made the most assists (30), totaled the most points (108) and took the most shots (312) in a single season in program history in 2017
In only his second season, Watkins became the fastest head coach to reach 20 wins in a career in program history.
After having an impressive first two seasons with the Zags, Watkins proved this program is in good hands after his third season, where the Zags posted another 39 goals and increased their SOG % by .048%. GU took the most shots (314) in a single season in program history.
In his third season as head coach, Watkins continued to reach new heights with the program. The Zags posted their third-straight double-digit win season with a program-record tying 12 victories, the most wins by the Bulldogs since 2005, and collected a program-tying five WCC wins for the second straight season. The Zags also made a splash in the national polls as they received votes for the first time since 2005 in addition to a program-best No. 3 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches' West Region Poll.
Not only has Watkins led the Zags to an imposing offense, but he has also led GU’s defense to become one of the best in program history. Watkins has helped GU improve its GAA by .66% in the five years he has been at Gonzaga and has also helped increase the Zags’ SV % by .132%.
In his fourth season at GU, he received the WCC Co-Coach of the Year award after posting a 5-2-1 conference record and finishing third in the WCC. This was the first time since 2005 that the Zags finished top-three in the WCC, and second time in program history. Watkins is the second GU coach to receive WCC Coach of the Year honors. After a successful season and bringing in WCC honors, Watkins and his staff were named the West Region Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches College Services program.
At the helm for his fifth season, Watkins led the Zags to the best season in program history. Tallying a program record 15 wins compared to only five losses, while also registering five conference wins for the fourth straight season. The Zags' offense reached a new peak under Watkins, breaking a majority of the club’s previous records including total goals (47), total assists (39), total points (131), total shots (387), goals per game (2.35), and shutouts (12). The program also reached its highest ranking in history coming in at 16th in the polls. Watkins broke 50 career wins during the season.
Watkins was a member of the BYU coaching staff from 1996 to 2016. In 2013, he was promoted to associate head coach and helped guide the Cougars to a Top-5 national ranking last season, before ending the year in the Sweet 16. Since being promoted to associate head coach, BYU has amassed a record of 47-11-6. The Cougars have appeared in five straight NCAA Tournaments and won five consecutive West Coast Conference titles.
As a BYU assistant coach, Watkins helped the Cougars to 17 trips to the NCAA Tournament, earning a No. 1 seed in 2012 -- the program’s highest seed ever. BYU finished 2003 and 2012 ranked fifth in the country. The Cougars were No. 9 in the final NSCAA Coaches’ Poll last season. Watkins was hired as an assistant at BYU in 1996.
During his time with the BYU women, the Cougars have won 13 conference championships, made the NCAA Tournament 18 times, including two appearances in the Elite Eight and five in the Sweet 16. BYU has finished in the national Top 25 17 times and boasts a 343-90-36 record since 1996. The Cougars have had 21 NSCAA All-Americans and seven Academic All-Americans while Watkins was a member of the staff.
Watkins was also the head coach for the BYU men’s soccer team from 1995 to 2015, compiling an overall record of 304-103-75 over the 21-year span. The men’s soccer team dominated the Collegiate Club Soccer Championships, winning National Championships in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001, including an unprecedented run of 30 straight victories at the Club National Championships.
Seeking a more competitive environment, Watkins was the driving force behind BYU’s decision to move from collegiate club to semi-pro status in 2003. BYU purchased a Premier Development League franchise, becoming the first university sponsored soccer program to ever acquire a franchise that competes at a level considered higher than NCAA soccer. The team competed in the USL Premier Development League where it reached the Final Eight twice. Under Watkins, the Cougars are the only university to participate in the U.S. Open Cup which they have done three times.
Watkins played for the semi-professional Salt Lake City Flamengo team from 1992 to 1995. He also played for the Utah Blitzz in 2002, and scored the golden goal to win the Western Conference title.
During college, Watkins played at Drake University and held the single-season scoring record. He later received a degree from BYU in psychology. In high school, he was the Gatorade Player of the Year in his home state of Kansas.
