George Washington University Athletics
Matt Watts Named Men’s Soccer Head Coach at George Washington
12/8/2025 1:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
George Washington Athletics has named Matthew Watts as head coach to lead its men's soccer program. Watts comes to GW with a decorated resume that includes 14 years of head coaching experience prior to his current role as Associate Head Coach at Virginia Tech.
"Matt has the vision, passion, and focus to lead GW men's soccer to the top of the Atlantic 10," said Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz. "He's a proven, successful head coach and relentless recruiter who leads with purpose and will be an outstanding mentor for our student-athletes. We're excited to welcome Matt, his wife Carly, and their daughter Isla to our GW family."
"I'm incredibly grateful to President Granberg and Athletic Director Michael Lipitz for the trust they've placed in me, and I also want to thank Virginia Tech for the support and development I gained during my time there," said Watts. "At GW, we will build the standards, expectations, and identity of this program the right way and over time — with patience, clarity, and purpose. My work rate will not be beaten. I am fully committed and determined to help GW men's soccer grow, compete, and ultimately succeed in a way that reflects the pride of this university. I can't wait to get started with our players, connect with alumni, and unite the GW community behind the journey ahead."
Watts was a major contributor to the Hokies' competitive and developmental success in the Atlantic Coast Conference and as a nationally ranked program. Over the last two years in Blacksburg, Watts helped the team to a 13-9-5 mark in the nationally competitive ACC and enjoyed a national ranking as high as #13 against a top-15 strength of schedule.
Prior to his time at Virginia Tech, Watts spent eight years at the helm of Nova Southeastern (DII), enjoying a 64-44-14 mark with the Sharks, highlighted by an NCAA Final Four run in 2021. Watts guided Nova Southeastern to its first NCAA Tournament victories in program history during the Final Four run, which ended in penalty kicks to the eventual national champions. His teams also earned NSCAA Academic Award recognition all eight seasons and posted the highest team GPA his final six seasons.
Watts' tenure at Nova Southeastern was preceded by highly successful stints as head coach at Alabama-Huntsville and Delta State, where he earned Coach of the Year honors at both schools.
Watts took over a side at Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) that finished with only one win. He guided UAH to a 10-win season in his first year and posted a 33-16-3 (.683) record over three seasons. He led UAH to NSCAA top-25 rankings in both 2014 and 2015 for the first time in nearly two decades and was named the 2015 Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year.
Prior to UAH, Watts was head coach at Delta State for two seasons where he directed the program that had never reached the conference tournament to the championship match and earned Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2012.
He began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at West Florida University, where he helped lead the Argonauts to a conference title and NCAA tournament appearance, and at his alma mater, the University of Mobile.
Watts had an extensive player career as an amateur, collegian and professional. Before coming stateside, he played for Norwich City F.C. from 2002-2004. He played at SUNY-Oneonta and Lynn University, before finishing his collegiate career at the University of Mobile where he was a two team All-Conference, All-Region and All-America selection, and the 2008 Conference Player of the Year. He went on to play in the professional development league for the Panama City Pirates.
In addition to his Master's in Health, Leisure and Exercise from the University of West Florida, and Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Mobile, Watts holds a UEFA B license, FA Level 2 certificate, NSCAA national diploma, NSCAA advanced national diploma and an NSCAA premier diploma.
A native of London, England, Watts is joined in Foggy Bottom by his wife, Carly, and their daughter Isla.
"Matt has the vision, passion, and focus to lead GW men's soccer to the top of the Atlantic 10," said Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz. "He's a proven, successful head coach and relentless recruiter who leads with purpose and will be an outstanding mentor for our student-athletes. We're excited to welcome Matt, his wife Carly, and their daughter Isla to our GW family."
"I'm incredibly grateful to President Granberg and Athletic Director Michael Lipitz for the trust they've placed in me, and I also want to thank Virginia Tech for the support and development I gained during my time there," said Watts. "At GW, we will build the standards, expectations, and identity of this program the right way and over time — with patience, clarity, and purpose. My work rate will not be beaten. I am fully committed and determined to help GW men's soccer grow, compete, and ultimately succeed in a way that reflects the pride of this university. I can't wait to get started with our players, connect with alumni, and unite the GW community behind the journey ahead."
Watts was a major contributor to the Hokies' competitive and developmental success in the Atlantic Coast Conference and as a nationally ranked program. Over the last two years in Blacksburg, Watts helped the team to a 13-9-5 mark in the nationally competitive ACC and enjoyed a national ranking as high as #13 against a top-15 strength of schedule.
Prior to his time at Virginia Tech, Watts spent eight years at the helm of Nova Southeastern (DII), enjoying a 64-44-14 mark with the Sharks, highlighted by an NCAA Final Four run in 2021. Watts guided Nova Southeastern to its first NCAA Tournament victories in program history during the Final Four run, which ended in penalty kicks to the eventual national champions. His teams also earned NSCAA Academic Award recognition all eight seasons and posted the highest team GPA his final six seasons.
Watts' tenure at Nova Southeastern was preceded by highly successful stints as head coach at Alabama-Huntsville and Delta State, where he earned Coach of the Year honors at both schools.
Watts took over a side at Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) that finished with only one win. He guided UAH to a 10-win season in his first year and posted a 33-16-3 (.683) record over three seasons. He led UAH to NSCAA top-25 rankings in both 2014 and 2015 for the first time in nearly two decades and was named the 2015 Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year.
Prior to UAH, Watts was head coach at Delta State for two seasons where he directed the program that had never reached the conference tournament to the championship match and earned Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2012.
He began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at West Florida University, where he helped lead the Argonauts to a conference title and NCAA tournament appearance, and at his alma mater, the University of Mobile.
Watts had an extensive player career as an amateur, collegian and professional. Before coming stateside, he played for Norwich City F.C. from 2002-2004. He played at SUNY-Oneonta and Lynn University, before finishing his collegiate career at the University of Mobile where he was a two team All-Conference, All-Region and All-America selection, and the 2008 Conference Player of the Year. He went on to play in the professional development league for the Panama City Pirates.
In addition to his Master's in Health, Leisure and Exercise from the University of West Florida, and Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Mobile, Watts holds a UEFA B license, FA Level 2 certificate, NSCAA national diploma, NSCAA advanced national diploma and an NSCAA premier diploma.
A native of London, England, Watts is joined in Foggy Bottom by his wife, Carly, and their daughter Isla.
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