Former Pitt offensive coordinator Shawn Watson is now the head coach of FCS program Wofford, the school announced on Thursday.
Watson served as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks for the Panthers during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He oversaw a Pitt offense that finished 98th in the country in total offense and 94th in the country in scoring offense. The Panthers were especially unable to move the ball through the air, finishing 121st in passing offense. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett had his passer rating drop from 125.8 as a freshman in 2017 to 120.3 as a sophomore.
Pitt let Watson go after the 2018 season after a poor offensive showing. He spent time coaching at Georgia in 2019 and then Northern Iowa from 2020-21 before joining Wofford as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2022. He coached under former Pitt defensive coordinator, Josh Conklin (2015-17), from then until midway through the season.
Conklin stepped down from the head coaching position after Wofford started 0-5 overall and 0-2 in SoCon play in 2022. Conklin also had a record of 1-4 in 2020-21 and a 1-10 record in 2021 prior to his firing.
Watson led the Terriers to a 3-3 record in the final six games to end 2022 at 3-8. For his efforts, he is now head coach of the team and will look to lead the team back to success.
This is the second head coaching job for Watson, as he coached previously at Southern Illinois from 1994-96
Pitt takes on Wofford in the 2023 season, where head coach Pat Narduzzi will face off against his former assistant. There is currently no date or time for the matchup.
Hopefully he Calls the Plays too!