Zach Watson - Assistant Coach - Men's Soccer Coaches

Zach Watson

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
zwatso01@calpoly.edu

Helping Cal Poly achieve an historic defensive effort during his first season as a member of Oige Kennedy’s staff in 2024, Zach Watson serves as the program’s assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer.

On the way to claiming the program’s first Big West title in 2024, Cal Poly set new team records for fewest goals conceded (13, six of which were penalties) and fewest goals per game (0.68) while matching the mark for fewest defeats (four) and producing nine shutouts.

With Nicky McCune named 2024 Big West Goalkeeper of the Year, Cal Poly’s defense conceded multiple goals just twice in 19 outings. Registering a nine-match unbeaten run midway through the 2024 season, Cal Poly lost just once in its final 15 games.

Watson arrived at Cal Poly after serving as the lead assistant coach at Division II Newberry (S.C.) College for the past three years. Heading the team’s development efforts, Watson also coached the program’s reserve side, directing Newberry’s second squad to the 2021 South Atlantic League title. With Watson on the bench, eight total Wolves earned All-SAC first team selection.

“Zach is a valuable addition to our program and complements the very diligent and extremely dedicated staff that we have at Cal Poly,” third-year Cal Poly head coach Oige Kennedy said. “He brings extensive experience in collegiate soccer from his Division I playing days and as a coach at the Division II and III levels.

“His expertise in the goalkeeper position has undoubtedly improved our keepers and in the short period he’s been working with them, we can already see a positive impact. We’re fortunate to have such a highly rated young coach come and join us here in San Luis Obispo. With his strong work ethic and clear dedication to his profession, we’re excited to see his continued growth with our program.”

Watson – a native of Bridgewater, Mass. – spent the two years prior to his time at Newberry as an assistant coach with Division III Curry College (Milton, Mass.). While at Curry, Watson worked primarily with the program's goalkeepers, who led the Commonwealth Coast Conference in total saves during the 2019 season.

Concurrently, Watson served as an academy staff coach with Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution and coached youth teams with Steel United.

With the Revolution, Watson ran goalkeeper programs with partnered clubs and town programs and oversaw the development of youth boys and girls goalkeepers between the U-8 and U-18 levels. He also worked alongside the academy goalkeeper director in the regional development school program to create and execute foundational-level goalkeeper training sessions.

Watson played collegiately at Division I Sacred Heart (Fairfield, Conn.) from 2014-17, graduating with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He then played one graduate season at Division II Coker (Hartsville, S.C.), earning his master’s degree in college athletics administration in 2019.

Watson currently holds his UEFA B License, USSF C License, a USC Advanced National Diploma and a Level 1 goalkeeper diploma. He’s also a Regional level referee and has worked numerous high level competitions including the U.S Open Cup and MLS and USL preseason matches.