Eric Watson joins the Gulls coaching staff for the 2024-25 campaign with an impressive resume of coaching experience. The Williams College 1997 alum and 1995 Division III national champion has a breadth of experience across various levels of the sport.

He formerly served as the Head Coach for Utica College (2011-13), SUNY New Paltz (2007-10), and Linfield College (2002-07 men’s, 2002-03 women’s). Over his career, Watson has compiled an impressive record of 116-88-21 (.562 win percentage). Among other impressive feats in his head coaching career, Watson was named the SUNYAC Coach of the Year at New Paltz in 2010, led Utica to its first ever Empire 8 conference championship in 2013, and received Northwest Conference Coach of the Year honors at Linfield in 2005.

Additionally, Watson has assisted numerous collegiate programs which include his alma mater, Williams College (1998-2000; men’s soccer), and the University of Richmond (2000-02; men’s and women’s soccer). He’s also worked extensively at the United States national level, having coached the 2008 Nordic Cup Champion U23 United States Women’s Soccer Team as the goalkeeper’s coach (2008-11), and guided the Olympic Development Program as a Staff Coach (2004-2007, 2012).

At the club level, Watson has coached between F.C. Portland Club (2003-05), Odyssey Soccer Club (2011-13), New Paltz and Highland Soccer Club (2008-15, 19), and Quickstrike FC (2015-18).

In 2010, Watson opened “ERock Soccer & Golf,” in which he hosts clinics and camps to develop the skills of young soccer players and golfers in the greater Hudson Valley area. Aside from sports, Watson serves as a volunteer with the New Paltz Fire Department.