RICHMOND, Ky. – EKU football added its newest member of its coaching staff on Monday afternoon, as head football coach Walt Wells named Rashad Watson the team's defensive secondary coach.
 
"I am very excited to add Rashad to our staff," said Wells regarding the hire. "He comes highly recommended by people I trust and did an outstanding job in his interview. We had a lot of interest and Rashad just kept coming to the top. He brings a wealth of experience having been a head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive backs coach. I am looking forward to what he adds not only to our defense but our entire program!"
 
Watson comes to Richmond after spending the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Tuskegee University in Alabama. While in charge of the Tiger defense, Watson helped lead Tuskegee to back-to-back winning seasons and a SIAA West Championship in 2023.
 
Watson's defense also led the SIAC in interceptions and produced seven defensive all-conference honorees.
 
"First, I would like to thank Coach Wells and the staff for entrusting me with my role on the Colonels staff," said Watson. "I am honored to be a part of such a well-respected program with great leadership and talented athletes. I will do my very best at instilling the qualities needed for our team to be successful. I hope to lead by example to bring high work ethic and strong passion to the football program here at EKU."
 
Prior to Tuskegee, Watson served as the defensive coordinator at Miles College from 2019-2021.
 
While at Miles, Watson oversaw the overhaul of a defense that went from last to first in the SIAC in rushing defense, interceptions, and sacks as Miles went on to claim a SIAC Championship in 2019.
 
The new Colonel coach also holds head coaching experience having spent two years as the head football coach at Franklin Pierce, where he led the program's transition into NCAA Division II membership. It was his first head coaching post, which was preceded by a five-year stint at Missouri Southern State.
 
In this time, he developed nine all-conference selections for the Lions.
 
Watson also holds professional experience serving as the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship Coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June of 2021 and with the Kansas City Chiefs in June of 2014. In these roles, he coached secondary during NFL Training Camp and assisted with special team units.
 
Watson played four years collegiately at Alabama A&M (1997-2001). Originally from Bessemer, Ala., Watson is a two-time graduate of Alabama A&M, with a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree in business marketing.