Chris Watkins - BYU Men's Soccer Head Coach
Chris Watkins
Chris Watkins - Head Coach
In 2011 Chris Watkins will be in his 17th year as head coach of the BYU men's soccer team. He has compiled an overall record of 236-69-19, prior to the start of the 2011 PDL season. He led the team to Collegiate Club National Championships in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2001. The Cougars have also represented the university by traveling internationally, playing such clubs as F. C. Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano ( Spain), V.V. Sittard ( Holland), Pachuca and Club America ( Mexico) and Catolica (Chile)
Coach Watkins led Brigham Young University in gaining a franchise in the United Soccer Leagues, the first Professional Franchise ever purchased by a collegiate institution. The Cougars reached the PDL Elite Eight in 2006 and 2007 and won the Northwest Division in 2008.
In 2005 he hosted the U.S. National Team before their World Cup Qualifier against Costa Rica. In 2006, Watkins hosted Coventry City, from England’s Championship League at South Stadium. In 2008, Watkins led the South Stadium construction project.
Watkins also serves as an assistant with the BYU women’s soccer team. He finished his 16th season in 2010 with a record of 262-77-62. The team has won six regular season conference championships, nine tournament conference championships, and participated in 13 NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2003.
As a player, Coach Watkins was the Gatorade Player of the Year in his home state of Kansas. He played NCAA Division I soccer at Drake University and held the single season scoring record there. Most recently, Coach Watkins played for the Utah Blitzz in 2002, scoring the golden goal to win the Western Conference Championship.
BYU mens’ soccer has a great reputation nationally and internationally because of Watkins' knowledge of the game, which not only builds great athletes but also quality players on and off the field. Chris and his wife Karen live in Mapleton, Utah with their sons Drake, Ethan and Tanner. Coach Watkins earned a Psychology degree from BYU.
