Jim Watts to Guide Hanover Women's Soccer Program
April 21, 2008 (Hanover Release)
HANOVER, IN- Hanover College President Sue DeWine has named Jim Watts head coach of the College's women's soccer program. Watts succeeds Yi Lin Liu, who guided the Panthers to a 73-97-9 mark from 1997-2007.
A former head coach of Hanover's men's program, Watts returns to the College after seven seasons as the head women's coach at Earlham College and one season as an assistant coach with the men's squad at Williams College (Mass.).
Watts guided Earlham to a school-record 12 wins in 2007. He was named the North Coast Athletic Conference coach of the year after leading the Quakers to a 12-5-1 record. His squads posted a 45-67-7 mark during his stint at Earlham, including a 28-21-4 record the past three seasons. During that span, his teams featured two NCAC newcomers of the year and three all-region athletes.
Watts served as Hanover's head men's soccer coach during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. He was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic coach of the year in 1999 after leading the Panthers to a then-school-record seven wins (7-11-1). Hanover was 10-25-2 during his two seasons with the men's program.
Watts left Hanover prior to the 2000 campaign to serve as an assistant with the men's team at Williams. The Ephs finished that season with a 15-1 record and were ranked No. 1 in the nation.
A 1997 graduate of Franklin College, Watts was a three-year letterwinner and two-time team captain for the Grizzlies. He received a master's degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy (Ala.) in 2003. He is a native of North Vernon, Ind.