Bert Watts - Assistant Coach / Linebackers - Football Coaches

Bert Watts

Title:
Assistant Coach / Linebackers
Phone:
901-678-5119

Bert Watts was named Memphis football's linebackers coach in January 2020. Watts came to Memphis after serving as Fresno State's defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019. He spent three years with the Bulldogs defense.

In three seasons at Fresno State (2017-19), Watts' defense ranked in the Top 10 nationally in several statistical categories. In 2018, the Bulldogs finished with a 12-2 record and were Mountain West Champions.

"Coach Bert Watts is a tremendous addition to our coaching staff. He is an intelligent coach with a successful background," Silverfield said. "As a defensive coordinator the last two years at Fresno State, he led a well-coached unit. He has also worked with the Denver Broncos. Bert develops players on and off the field and cares greatly for them in every detail of their life."

In 2018, the Bulldogs ranked third nationally in scoring defense, surrendering 14.1 points per game. Fresno State also finished the 2018 campaign ranked in the Top 10 in the FBS in red zone defense (1^st), scoring defense (3^rd), passes intercepted (4^th), passing efficiency defense (5^th) and turnover margin (9^th). Individually, Watts helped mentor linebacker Jeff Allison as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.

Prior to Fresno State, Watts spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator at UC Davis with a focus on the defensive backs unit.

His first season overseeing the UC Davis defense in 2013 resulted in four of his players earning postseason recognition from the Big Sky Conference. Two more were recognized the next season and five more earned honors from the conference in 2016.

Defensive lineman Nick King was a second-team pick after amassing eight sacks, cornerback Jonathan Perkins had four pass breakups on his way to third-team accolades, linebacker Steven Pitts earned honorable mention after tallying 74 tackles and 11.5 TFLs, and cornerback Shamawn Wright was selected honorable mention after leading the team with nine PBUs. Pitts returned to the All-Big Sky honorable mention squad in 2014 and was joined by safety Charles Boyett.

In 2016, defensive tackle Inoke Raikadroka was named a second-team selection after compiling 24 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.0 sacks and one fumble recovery in nine games played. Defensive tackle Zak Pettit, inside linebacker Nas Anesi, cornerback Keleen Culberson and safety Zach Jones earned honorable mention recognition.

The Basking Ridge, N.J. native also holds NFL experience, helping the Denver Broncos earn the top seed in the AFC playoffs in 2012.

A three-year letterwinner at Cal, Watts led the Bears' defense with 80 tackles as a senior in 2002. Following his senior year, he was the recipient of the team's Joe Roth Award, given to the player that exemplifies superior courage, attitude and sportsmanship.

Watts earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of California. He is married to the former Lyndsay Graubard, and the couple has two children, Vedder and Willow.

Watts At A Glance

Alma Mater	University of California, 2003
Playing Experience	University of California (2000-02) Three-year letter winner Led the Bears' defense with 80 tackles as a senior in 2002 Recipient of the Joe Roth Award, given to the player that exemplifies superior courage, attitude and sportsmanship
Family	Wife - Lyndsay Children - Vedder and Willow

Coaching Experience

University of California	Graduate Assistant (2004-05)
Raiffeisen Vikings (Austria)	Defensive Coordinator (2007)
Bartram Trial HS (Fla.)	Assistant Coach, Defensive Backs (2008)
Bishop Kenny HS (Fla.)	Defensive Coordinator (2009)
University of Colorado	Defensive Technical Intern (2010-11)
Denver Broncos	Staff Assistant (2012)
University of California - Davis	Defensive Coordinator (2013-16)
Fresno State University	Assistant Coach, Linebackers (2017) Defensive Coordinator (2018-19)
University of Memphis	Assistant Coach, Linebackers (2020-Present)