Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

University of South Dakota Athletics

Now Loading:
Football
Mark Watson

Mark Watson Jr.

Mark Watson Jr. came to Vermillion alongside head coach Bob Nielson in December of 2015. Watson is the Coyotes’ defensive backs coach and has worked with cornerbacks since 2015. He is also the head of the program’s player development program.

Watson began his career at Drake University in 2010 and continued to work there throughout the 2011 season. Both seasons that Watson worked with the Bulldogs, the team led the Pioneer League in interceptions. The 2011 team won the PFL title, finished seventh nationally (FCS) in scoring defense and was 10th in total defense.

In 2012, Watson made the move to USC and worked as the graduate assistant coach in the secondary. The Trojans ended the season 7-6 and the defense finished 41st in pass efficiency and tied for 40th in scoring defense.

Watson continued his career at Western Illinois in 2013 and was in charge of the wide receivers. One year later, Western Illinois boasted three 1,000-yard receivers on the same team including first-team all-MVFC honoree Lance Lenoir Jr., who set a program record for receptions in a season.
 
In 2015, Watson made the move from offense to defense and coached in the secondary. He helped WIU return to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2010. The team advanced to the second round and finished the season with seven wins.
 
South Dakota has posted 34 interceptions in three seasons under Watson. That total includes 15 in 2017 when the Coyotes qualified for the FCS playoffs for the first time and advanced to the round of 16. The team’s 15 picks ranked 20th nationally.

Originally from St. Charles, Missouri, Watson began his playing career at Missouri Southern before transferring to McPherson College. Watson was a two-year starter at McPherson and team captain his senior year. Watson graduated from McPherson in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.

During his prep career at Francis Howell High School, Watson was a three-sport athlete in football, baseball and track. He helped his baseball team win the 2003 Class 4A state title and was a member of the 4x100 relay team that set the school record.

Watson and his wife, Antheria, have four children, Tatiana, Makayla, Amaya and Mark III.
Â