Brett Watson joined the University of the Incarnate Word coaching staff as the defensive tackles coach and camps coordinator in the spring of 2018.
In Watson’s second year with UIW (2019), the Cardinals won five games and set several program records. UIW forced 33 turnovers through its 12 games, which led the nation even through the first round of the FCS Playoffs and ultimately ranked third nationally. UIW had a 1.33 turnover margin, also a nation-best.
The Cardinals snagged 17 interceptions, a conference-high mark that also ranked seventh nationally. Their 16 fumbles recovered ranked third. UIW had a takeaway in 23 consecutive games between 2017 and 2019. UIW’s defense scored four touchdowns, which led the SLC and ranked fifth in the nation.
Watson was part of a staff that engineered one of the best turnarounds in the FCS in 2018. Helping lead the Cardinals from a 1-10 overall record in 2017 to a 6-4 regular season mark, a Southland Conference Championship and an FCS Playoff berth.
Following the conclusion of UIW’s regular season (week 11), the Cardinals led the FCS with 29 turnovers gained. UIW recorded at least one turnover in every game played, including the playoffs, for the first time in program history. The turnover streak sits at 12 consecutive games following the 2018 season.
Of these 29 turnovers, 18 were interceptions, breaking the previous program record of 16 picks, set in the 2011 season.
The defensive highlight of the season came against Sam Houston State on Nov. 1, when UIW forced a program-record seven turnovers. These seven turnovers also led the SLC in 2018. The Cardinals also recorded four interceptions at Central Arkansas (Nov. 10), setting the program record for picks in a single game.
Prior to UIW, Watson spent two seasons at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. During the 2017 season, he was the defensive line coach and the junior college recruiting coordinator. He coached the linebackers in 2016.
In 2017, Watson helped guide SOSU to a 7-4 record with a 4-2 mark in the Great American Conference. The Savage Storm recorded 791 tackles with 53 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
Watson’s 2016 squad tallied a 7-4 record. Defensively, the team had 743 tackles with 66 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. The Savage Storm had 52 pass breakups, 16 quarterback hurries, and 14 fumble recoveries.
Before Southeastern Oklahoma State, Watson spent three seasons at West Texas A&M, his alma mater, where he served as the assistant head coach and worked with the defensive line; he was also the recruiting coordinator and the team's NFL liaison.
Before his most recent stint at WTAMU he spent the 2012 season at East Central. There, he handled the defensive line as well as recruiting and academics.
He spent the spring of 2012 with West Alabama coaching the defensive line. From 2009 through February 2012 he worked for the West Texas A&M, first as a graduate assistant handling strength and conditioning before taking over the defensive line for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
He has coached 16 student-athletes along the defensive line who have earned all-conference honors, five who have garnered All-American accolades, and seven who went on to play in the NFL.
Watson played at West Texas A&M from 2006-09.
He graduated from West Texas A&M with a bachelor’s in sports and exercise science with a minor in social science in 2009. He earned a master’s of science -- with an emphasis in sport management -- in May of 2011.
