"I am very excited for the opportunity to join Coach Wilder's staff. It has been a priviledge to be a part of the initial success of our program and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead."
- Coach Watkins
Bradley Watkins completed his first season at ODU this fall coaching the running backs.
This season the Monarchs led the FCS in scoring offense with 45.15 points per game, passing offense at 393.85 and total offense with 548.23 yards per game.
In Watkins' first year coaching the running backs, ODU averaged 154.38 yards on the ground while the backs also combined to catch 78 passes out of the backfield.
Tyree Lee led ODU with 864 yards on the ground, the second highest single-season total in school history. Lee rushed for 100 plus yards in three-straight games including a career-best 166 yards in the win over William and Mary.
Watkins began his career as a student assistant with his alma mater, Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio in 2006 helping to coach the defensive line.
In 2007, Watkins then came to the Hampton Roads area to become an assistant coach at Hampton High School serving as the JV Defensive Coordinator and overseeing the inside linebackers and running backs. Watkins also assisted the Crabbers summer strength and conditioning programs as well.
During the last two seasons, Watkins has volunteered with the Monarch football program as Old Dominion compiled a 8-3 mark in 2010 and a 10-3 overall record, second place finish in the Colonial Athletic Association, a top-10 ranking, and second round playoff appearance in 2011.
Watkins has coached at various summer camps and clinics over the last several years including the Old Dominion, Virginia, and Maryland Summer Camps, as well as Lauren's First and Goal, a summer camp which has raised more than $1 million toward its mission to provide financial support for brain tumor research and cancer services.
Graduating from Ohio Northern University in 2007 with a B.S. in physical education, Watkins was a four-year letterwinner for the Polar Bears starting in 39 of his 40 appearances. Most recently he obtained his Master's degree in education from Old Dominion in 2011. He has also served as an educator in the Newport News and Hampton school districts.
The Watkins File:
Hometown: Albion, N.Y. High School: Charles D'Amico High School College: Ohio Northern '07; Old Dominion '11
2012 - Present: Old Dominion University - Running Backs 2010 - 2011: Old Dominion University - Volunteer 2007 - 2009: Hampton High School - JV Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers/Running Backs 2006: Ohio Northern University - Student Assistant - Defensive Line
"We are all excited as a football family to have Brad Watkins join our program on a full-time basis. Coach Watkins has been a dedicated member of our staff while working full-time as a school teacher. he has done an outstanding job the past two years helping with our running backs and working with Coach Zyskowski on our special teams."
"I am very excited for the opportunity to join Coach Wilder's staff. It has been a priviledge to be a part of the initial success of our program and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead."
