One of the legendary names in college football coaching, Watts, arrived to TSU from Arkansas. He has also previously coached at Central Michigan, serving as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

Watts' coaching career spans more than five decades and encompasses three high schools, nine universities and two professional teams.

Watts began his career at Seneca (Mo.) High School in 1961 before moving on to Joplin (Mo.) High School. He moved on to college coaching in 1965 at Drake University, beginning a journey that would take him to Louisville, Indiana, Kansas, LSU (twice), Michigan State (three times), Mississippi State, Miami (Ohio) and, in 2011, Central Michigan.

Watts also mixed in two pro stops, the first with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL, the second with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.

Throughout his career, Watts has worked directly with several quarterbacks who have played professionally, including Indiana's Tim Clifford; Michigan State's Jim Miller, Tony Banks and Jeff Smoker; Cliff Stoudt of the USFL's Birmingham Stallions; and Vinny Testeverde of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.