Ohio Wesleyan names new coach
| Watts |
Tom Watts, assistant football coach at Baldwin-Wallace, has been named head football coach at Ohio Wesleyan, it was announced by athletics director Roger Ingles.
He replaces Mike Hollway, who was let go earlier in the offseason after 25 years. He was 139-110-1 at Ohio Wesleyan, 150-137-2. The Battling Bishops were 39-61 over the past 10 years.
“Tom has a great pedigree,” Ingles said. “He was a huge part of turning Baldwin-Wallace's program around, and he has experience in recruiting, special teams, and defense. Pairing Tom's connections and success in Ohio recruiting with the experience of our coaching staff members, Pat Delaney and Mike Ward, makes the future at Ohio Wesleyan a bright one.”
For the last three seasons, Watts has served as special teams coordinator, defensive backs coach, and recruiting coordinator at Baldwin-Wallace. He helped the Yellow Jackets compile records of 8-2 in 2011 and 7-3 in 2010, his defensive backs earned five All-Ohio Conference citations during those two seasons, and the team ranked third in the nation in kick returns in 2010.
“I am ecstatic about the opportunity to come to Ohio Wesleyan,”Watts said. “I was completely impressed with everyone I met. There are a lot of things to get done, getting a staff together, meeting with the guys and letting them know my expectations and getting their expectations, and getting back on the road and recruiting.
"I think (Ohio Wesleyan) is a sleeping giant, and a great thing to be a part of. My family is looking forward to coming down to Ohio Wesleyan to be a part of the OWU family."
"Tom came with glowing recommendations," said Ohio Wesleyan president Rock Jones. "His energy level and organizational skills were outstanding, and we are confident in his ability to lead our football program."
Prior to coaching at Baldwin-Wallace, Watts was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Westminster (Pa.) during the 2008 season, helping the Titans post their best Presidents' Athletic Conference finish in five seasons.
Watts served as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the UW-Platteville for four seasons, helping the Pioneers lead the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in pass defense and post their first winning season since 1991.
He began his coaching career as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Waynesburg, helping the Yellow Jackets win the PAC championship and reach the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2003.
Watts is a 2002 graduate of Hanover, where he helped the Panthers win a pair of conference championships. He continued his education at Waynesburg, receiving a master's degree in education technology in 2004. He is a native of Westfield Center, Ohio, and played both receiver and safety at Lodi Cloverleaf High School.
Watts is a fourth-generation football coach. His great-grandfather, Ray, was a legendary coach and athletic director at B-W, compiling 108 wins as head football coach and 246 wins as head men's basketball coach, and was an inaugural member of the B-W Hall of Fame. His grandfather, Wade, also is a member of the B-W Hall of Fame and coached at the high school level in northeast Ohio, and his father, Tom Sr., played football at B-W and coached at the high school level at Strongsville, Midpark, and North Olmsted High Schools.
