Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

Rashad Watson was named the defensive secondary coach in February of 2024

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 SIAC West Championship in 2023.
 
Watson’s defense also led the SIAC in interceptions and produced seven defensive all-conference honorees.
 
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.