Marlon Watson enters his second season as Head Coach of the Wildcats, continuing to build a competitive and disciplined program grounded in defensive excellence and player development. In his first season, Watson mentored three All-SIAC selections, including All-American defensive back Darnell Stephens, who was also selected to participate in the 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl. Under his leadership, the Wildcats’ defense emerged as one of the top units in the conference, ranking No. 4 in rush defense, No. 3 in total defense, and No. 1 in pass defense.
Prior to Fort Valley State, Watson was a key member of the Prairie View A&M University coaching staff, serving as Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Ends Coach. In 2023, he helped lead the Panthers to a SWAC Western Division Championship while significantly improving special teams performance in PAT efficiency, field goal percentage, and net punting. He also mentored defensive end Myles McHaney, who earned Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl honors before advancing to professional opportunities in Brazil and with the UFL’s Memphis Showboats.
In 2024, Watson continued to elevate Prairie View’s special teams units, guiding improvements in kickoff coverage (net), field goals, PATs, kickoff returns, and punt return (net). He coached standout specialist Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez to First-Team All-SWAC honors, HBCU All-American recognition, and AFCA FCS Coaches’ All-America Second Team distinction. Rodriguez also set a school record with a 54-yard field goal, accomplishing the feat twice during the season. Watson additionally contributed to the development of preseason All-SWAC selections CJ Pressley and Jamal Marshall.
Before Prairie View A&M, Watson served as Defensive Coordinator at Upper Iowa University in 2021, where he developed First-Team All-NSIC defensive lineman Erik Hansen, a national leader in tackles for loss and sacks. The Peacocks ranked 41st nationally in tackles for loss, 45th in rushing defense, and 10th in blocked kicks under his leadership.
WatsoMarlon Watson enters his second season as Head Coach of the Wildcats, continuing to build a competitive and disciplined program grounded in defensive excellence and player development. In his first season, Watson mentored three All-SIAC selections, including All-American defensive back Darnell Stephens, who was also selected to participate in the 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl. Under his leadership, the Wildcats’ defense emerged as one of the top units in the conference, ranking No. 4 in rush defense, No. 3 in total defense, and No. 1 in pass defense.
Prior to Fort Valley State, Watson was a key member of the Prairie View A&M University coaching staff, serving as Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Ends Coach. In 2023, he helped lead the Panthers to a SWAC Western Division Championship while significantly improving special teams performance in PAT efficiency, field goal percentage, and net punting. He also mentored defensive end Myles McHaney, who earned Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl honors before advancing to professional opportunities in Brazil and with the UFL’s Memphis Showboats.
In 2024, Watson continued to elevate Prairie View’s special teams units, guiding improvements in kickoff coverage (net), field goals, PATs, kickoff returns, and punt return (net). He coached standout specialist Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez to First-Team All-SWAC honors, HBCU All-American recognition, and AFCA FCS Coaches’ All-America Second Team distinction. Rodriguez also set a school record with a 54-yard field goal, accomplishing the feat twice during the season. Watson additionally contributed to the development of preseason All-SWAC selections CJ Pressley and Jamal Marshall.
Before Prairie View A&M, Watson served as Defensive Coordinator at Upper Iowa University in 2021, where he developed First-Team All-NSIC defensive lineman Erik Hansen, a national leader in tackles for loss and sacks. The Peacocks ranked 41st nationally in tackles for loss, 45th in rushing defense, and 10th in blocked kicks under his leadership.
Watson spent three seasons (2018–2020) as Defensive Coordinator at Elizabeth City State University, where he significantly improved the program’s defensive performance. In 2018, the defense improved by 6% in total defense, 10% in red-zone defense, and 18% in both rushing and fourth-down defense, while first-down defense improved by 23%, ranking 8th nationally in NCAA Division II. These gains were achieved despite limited practice opportunities and weather-related disruptions. In addition to coaching, Watson served as an academic advisor, supporting student-athlete retention and academic success.
Prior to ECSU, Watson coached at Alabama A&M University, working with linebackers (2017), defensive linemen (2016), and nickelbacks (2015). He developed First-Team All-SWAC linebacker Kenny Davis and played a key role in recruiting two of the program’s most accomplished players—running back Jordan Bentley and quarterback Aqeel Glass.
Bentley earned SWAC Freshman of the Year honors, multiple All-America recognitions, and set seven school rushing records. Glass finished his career ranked among the top 15 in FCS history in both passing touchdowns (109) and passing yards (12,136), earning the 2021 Deacon Jones Award (Black College Football Player of the Year), SWAC Player of the Year, BOXTOROW National Player of the Year, Walter Payton Award finalist recognition, and multiple All-America honors.
Watson’s coaching experience also includes Georgia Military College, where he coached linebackers and developed three of the team’s top five tacklers, and Bethel University (TN), where he served as Defensive Backs Coach, Co-Special Teams Coordinator, and JV Defensive Coordinator. At Bethel, he contributed to back-to-back Mid-South Conference Championships (2011–2012) and consecutive NAIA playoff appearances, including a 2012 first-round victory over No. 1-ranked Georgetown College. The 2012 defense led the conference in pass defense.
He began his coaching career at Joliet West High School (IL) as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach, developing nine All-Conference players, including a Harvard signee, while also assisting with the track program.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Watson played linebacker at Northern Illinois University under head coach Joe Novak. He was part of a nationally ranked program that reached No. 10 in 2003 and recorded wins over Maryland, Alabama, and Iowa State. Northern Illinois earned MAC West Co-Championships in 2001, 2002, and 2004, and won the 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl.
Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in education from Bethel University (TN).
He is married to Jasmine Watson, and they have three children: Brayden, Brianna, and Brynleigh.
n spent three seasons (2018–2020) as Defensive Coordinator at Elizabeth City State University, where he significantly improved the program’s defensive performance. In 2018, the defense improved by 6% in total defense, 10% in red-zone defense, and 18% in both rushing and fourth-down defense, while first-down defense improved by 23%, ranking 8th nationally in NCAA Division II. These gains were achieved despite limited practice opportunities and weather-related disruptions. In addition to coaching, Watson served as an academic advisor, supporting student-athlete retention and academic success.
Prior to ECSU, Watson coached at Alabama A&M University, working with linebackers (2017), defensive linemen (2016), and nickelbacks (2015). He developed First-Team All-SWAC linebacker Kenny Davis and played a key role in recruiting two of the program’s most accomplished players—running back Jordan Bentley and quarterback Aqeel Glass.
Bentley earned SWAC Freshman of the Year honors, multiple All-America recognitions, and set seven school rushing records. Glass finished his career ranked among the top 15 in FCS history in both passing touchdowns (109) and passing yards (12,136), earning the 2021 Deacon Jones Award (Black College Football Player of the Year), SWAC Player of the Year, BOXTOROW National Player of the Year, Walter Payton Award finalist recognition, and multiple All-America honors.
Watson’s coaching experience also includes Georgia Military College, where he coached linebackers and developed three of the team’s top five tacklers, and Bethel University (TN), where he served as Defensive Backs Coach, Co-Special Teams Coordinator, and JV Defensive Coordinator. At Bethel, he contributed to back-to-back Mid-South Conference Championships (2011–2012) and consecutive NAIA playoff appearances, including a 2012 first-round victory over No. 1-ranked Georgetown College. The 2012 defense led the conference in pass defense.
He began his coaching career at Joliet West High School (IL) as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach, developing nine All-Conference players, including a Harvard signee, while also assisting with the track program.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Watson played linebacker at Northern Illinois University under head coach Joe Novak. He was part of a nationally ranked program that reached No. 10 in 2003 and recorded wins over Maryland, Alabama, and Iowa State. Northern Illinois earned MAC West Co-Championships in 2001, 2002, and 2004, and won the 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl.
Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in education from Bethel University (TN).
He is married to Jasmine Watson, and they have three children: Brayden, Brianna, and Brynleigh.
