Matt Watts is a collegiate men’s soccer coach with a blend of head coaching and program-building experience across multiple levels. He joined Virginia Tech in the summer of 2024 and, following a season of contributing to the Hokies’ program, was officially promoted to associate head coach in August 2025.Prior to his arrival in Blacksburg, Watts served for eight years as the head coach of Nova Southeastern University (Division II), compiling a 64-44-14 record. His tenure at NSU was marked by the program’s first Sunshine State Conference title and its first NCAA Tournament wins, as the team advanced to the Final Four in 2021 (falling in penalties to the eventual national champion). During that run, his coaching staff was honored as the 2021 NCAA Division II South Region Staff of the Year. Before NSU, Watts held head coaching roles at Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) and Delta State University (DSU). At UAH (beginning in January 2013), he engineered a turnaround season, led the Chargers to a 33-17-3 record over three seasons, and saw the program ranked nationally (its first top-25 ranking in 18 years).
At DSU, he guided a program with limited past success into its first Gulf South Conference Tournament final and earned GSC Coach of the Year honors. As a player, Watts had stints with Norwich City F.C., competed collegiately at SUNY-Oneonta, Lynn, and later at the University of Mobile, where he earned All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American honors, along with the GCAC Player of the Year in 2008. He also holds a UEFA B license, multiple FA and NSCAA coaching certifications, a master’s in Health, Leisure, and Exercise (University of West Florida), and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, Advertising, and Public Relations (University of Mobile).
