Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. — Chris Watkins has been named the new head women’s soccer coach at Boston College, it was announced today by Director of Athletics William V. Campbell Blake James. Watkins – one of the best coaches in collegiate women’s soccer – arrives at the Heights after seven highly successful seasons at Gonzaga, where he compiled a 79-33-16 record.
“Chris is a tremendous leader with a proven track record of winning student-athletes and developing them holistically throughout his coaching career. He cares deeply about the student-athlete experience and is the perfect person to be our next women’s soccer coach,” he said. Mosques. “We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the Boston College Athletics family!”
Watkins led the Zags to the 2023 West Coast Conference championship — the first conference title in program history — en route to Gonzaga’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in nearly two decades. The Bulldogs finished the 2023 campaign with a 14-4-2 overall record and a 6-1-1 mark in WCC play. Among those six league victories was a 1-0 win over No. 15 Santa Clara in Spokane — the second win ever for GU over the perennial women’s soccer powerhouse.
“I am excited and eager to get started and do my part to compete in the best women’s soccer conference in the country, as we bring Boston College women’s soccer back to national prominence,” Watkins said. “I am grateful for the vision of the BC Athletics Department and the incredible investments made to provide a first-class experience for our student-athletes. Thank you to Blake James, Shauna Cobb and Craig Anderson for believing in me, our players. And the future of the BC women’s soccer program.”
The Bulldogs boasted one of the best offenses in the country last season, ranking fourth in Division I in shots on goal per game (9.1) and sixth in goals per game (2.8). Gonzaga also ranked eighth nationally in total goals (56). The Zags set single-season program records in goals scored (56), assists (44) and points (156).
Not only has Watkins built an imposing offense at GU, he has also orchestrated the Bulldogs’ defense into one of the best in program history. During his time in Spokane, Gonzaga significantly improved his goals allowed and save averages.
Watkins was named the 2023 WCC Coach of the Year and he and his coaching staff were recognized by United Soccer Coaches College Services as the 2023 Western Conference Staff of the Year. This is the second time in the past three years that the women’s soccer coaching staff has been named the 2023 WCC Coach of the Year. At Gonzaga for the region’s top award.
Hired as Gonzaga women’s soccer coach in December 2016, Watkins immediately made an impact on the trajectory of the Zags program. During the 2017 season, Gonzaga enjoyed the best start in program history (5-0-1). The team reached 10 wins for the first time since 2007, setting several records in the process. Gonzaga scored the most goals (39), had the most assists (30), collected the most points (108) and took the most shots (312) in a single season in program history in 2017.
After an impressive first two seasons with the Zags, becoming the fastest coach to reach 20 wins in program history, Watkins continued to reach new heights in 2019 — his third season. The Zags tied a program record with 12 wins — the most since 2005 — and tied a program best with five wins in the WCC for the second straight season. The Bulldogs have also had great success in the polls, reaching third place in the Western Region poll conducted by United Soccer Coaches while also receiving votes in the national poll.
Watkins was named the 2020 WCC Assistant Coach of the Year after posting a 5-2-1 conference record and finishing third in the league. As a result, Gonzaga women’s soccer was named Western Region Coaching Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches College Services program.
In 2021, Watkins led the Zags to their best season in program history to date, posting a 15-5 overall record and five wins in WCC play. The Zags’ offense rewrote the program’s record book once again, setting new single-season standards for total goals (47), total assists (39), total points (131), total shots (387), and goals per game (2.35). And closing (12). Gonzaga also reached its highest ranking in history, finishing at No. 16 in the national poll. The Zags reached the 10-win mark for the fifth time under Watkins in 2022, while also posting their best finish ever in the World Series standings, finishing second.
Before joining Gonzaga, Watkins was a member of the women’s soccer coaching staff at BYU from 1996 to 2016. During his time at Provo, he helped guide the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament 18 times — including a No. 1 seed in 2012 — Including two appearances in the Elite Eight and five in the Sweet 16. BYU finished in the top 25 of the national poll on 17 occasions and posted a 343-90-36 record during Watkins’ tenure. The Cougars had 21 NSCAA All-Americans and seven Academic All-Americans while Watkins was a member of the staff.
Watkins was also the head coach of BYU’s men’s soccer team from 1995-2015, compiling a 304-103-75 overall record in 21 seasons. The BYU men’s soccer team has dominated the collegiate club soccer championships, winning national titles in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2001, including an unprecedented streak of 30 consecutive victories in the club national tournaments.
In search of a more competitive environment, Watkins was the impetus behind BYU’s decision to move from a college club to semi-professional status in 2003. BYU purchased a Premier Development League franchise, becoming the first university-sponsored football program to have a franchise compete at a level considered higher than NCAA football. Foot. The team competes in the USL Premier Development League, reaching the quarterfinals twice. Under Watkins, the Cougars were the only college team to participate in the US Open Cup.
As a player, Watkins played for the semi-professional Salt Lake City Flames from 1992 to 1995. He also played for the Utah Blitz in 2002 and scored the golden goal to win the Western Conference title.
He began his collegiate playing career at Drake, setting the school’s single-season scoring record in 1988. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from BYU in 1996.
Boston College has announced Chris Watkins as the new head coach for the women’s soccer team. With an impressive coaching background and a strong passion for the sport, Watkins brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the program. The university is thrilled to welcome him aboard and is confident that he will lead the team to new heights of success in both the competitive ACC conference and on the national stage.