Watkins promoted to associate head coach of women's soccer

PROVO, Utah — Brigham Young University director of athletics Tom Holmoe today announced that assistant women’s soccer coach Chris Watkins has been promoted to associate head coach under the leadership of head coach Jennifer Rockwood.
 
“Chris has been such an integral part of our soccer program over the past 17 years and we are excited to extend him this new title,” Rockwood said. “His dedication, loyalty, and knowledge of the game has helped our team to tremendous success. He is an outstanding coach and I appreciate everything he has done for each of our student-athletes and the BYU women’s soccer program.”
 
Watkins has been a member of the BYU coaching staff since 1996, when he brought impressive credentials from both the professional and collegiate realms to Provo. As a BYU assistant coach, Watkins has help coach Rockwood guide the Cougars to 14 trips to the NCAA Tournament, earning a No. 1 seed in 2012 — the program’s highest seed ever.
 
“It's an honor to work with coach Rockwood and the amazing student-athletes at BYU,” Watkins said. “We are hungry for even more success. I'm anxious and excited to do my part to push our program to a National Championship someday.”
 
During his 17 years at BYU, Watkins has helped coach 13 All-Americans and seen the program grow to national prominence, including trips to the Elite Eight of the NCAA College Cup in 2003 and 2012.
 
Watkins was the Player of the Year in his home state of Kansas and later played Division I collegiate soccer at Drake University where he held the single-season scoring record. He went on to play semi-professional soccer for the Salt Lake City Flamengo and professionally with the Utah Blitzz. He later received a degree from BYU in psychology.
 
In addition to his duties with the women’s soccer team, Watkins has also coached the BYU men’s soccer club team since 1993.
 
Chris and his wife Karen live in Provo with their sons Drake, Ethan and Tanner.