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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Football
Watson, Ross
Ross Watson
- Title:
- Defensive Backs
At Nebraska
Ross Watson served four seasons as the graduate assistant coach with the Nebraska defensive staff. In his fi rst two years in Lincoln, Watson assisted in a dramatic Cornhusker defensive resurgence. In 2009, Nebraska led the nation in scoring defense and finished the year ranked No. 7 nationally in total defense by improving its per game average by more than 125 yards. The previous season the Cornhuskers were second in the Big 12 in total defense.
At Mount Union
Watson joined the Huskers after spending two seasons as the cornerbacks coach at his alma mater, Division III powerhouse Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. During Watson’s two years on the Purple Raider staff, Mount Union posted a 29-1 record and won the 2006 national championship, before finishing as the Division III runner-up in 2007.
In 2007, Watson assisted with a defense that posted seven shutouts, including six-straight. Mount Union held opponents to just 173.7 total yards per game and intercepted 17 passes during the season. In 2006, the Raider defense was just as strong, allowing just 186.0 yards per game and earning four shutouts in its perfect 15-0 season. Mount Union also intercepted 22 passes during its 2006 championship run.
Collegiate Playing Career
Watson was a four-year letterwinner (2002-05) for Mount Union before joining the coaching staff. He started each of his fi nal three years at cornerback and earned first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference and first-team AFCA All-America honors as a senior in 2005. Watson led the team with nine interceptions as a senior, just one shy of the school record. In his career, Watson totaled 146 tackles, 14 interceptions and 29 pass breakups.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2012 – Florida Atlantic University (Defensive Backs)
2008-11 – Nebraska (Graduate Assistant)
2008-07 – Mount Union (Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks)
Post-Season as a Coach
2011 – Capital One (Nebraska)
2010 - Holiday Bowl (Nebraska)
2009 - Holiday Bowl (Nebraska)
2008 - Gator Bowl (Nebraska)
2007 – National Runner-up (Mount Union)
2006 – National Champion (Mount Union)
Recruiting Area
Central Florida and Orlando
THE WATSON FILE
Hometown: Youngstown, OH
Education: 2006, B.S in Business Administration, Mount Union; 2011, M.S. in Education, Nebraska
Marital Status: Wife, Sydney
Children: none
Ross Watson served four seasons as the graduate assistant coach with the Nebraska defensive staff. In his fi rst two years in Lincoln, Watson assisted in a dramatic Cornhusker defensive resurgence. In 2009, Nebraska led the nation in scoring defense and finished the year ranked No. 7 nationally in total defense by improving its per game average by more than 125 yards. The previous season the Cornhuskers were second in the Big 12 in total defense.
At Mount Union
Watson joined the Huskers after spending two seasons as the cornerbacks coach at his alma mater, Division III powerhouse Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. During Watson’s two years on the Purple Raider staff, Mount Union posted a 29-1 record and won the 2006 national championship, before finishing as the Division III runner-up in 2007.
In 2007, Watson assisted with a defense that posted seven shutouts, including six-straight. Mount Union held opponents to just 173.7 total yards per game and intercepted 17 passes during the season. In 2006, the Raider defense was just as strong, allowing just 186.0 yards per game and earning four shutouts in its perfect 15-0 season. Mount Union also intercepted 22 passes during its 2006 championship run.
Collegiate Playing Career
Watson was a four-year letterwinner (2002-05) for Mount Union before joining the coaching staff. He started each of his fi nal three years at cornerback and earned first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference and first-team AFCA All-America honors as a senior in 2005. Watson led the team with nine interceptions as a senior, just one shy of the school record. In his career, Watson totaled 146 tackles, 14 interceptions and 29 pass breakups.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2012 – Florida Atlantic University (Defensive Backs)
2008-11 – Nebraska (Graduate Assistant)
2008-07 – Mount Union (Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks)
Post-Season as a Coach
2011 – Capital One (Nebraska)
2010 - Holiday Bowl (Nebraska)
2009 - Holiday Bowl (Nebraska)
2008 - Gator Bowl (Nebraska)
2007 – National Runner-up (Mount Union)
2006 – National Champion (Mount Union)
Recruiting Area
Central Florida and Orlando
THE WATSON FILE
Hometown: Youngstown, OH
Education: 2006, B.S in Business Administration, Mount Union; 2011, M.S. in Education, Nebraska
Marital Status: Wife, Sydney
Children: none
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