Detroit's Perry Watson announces retirement
March 5, 2008
The second-winningest head coach in the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball annals, Perry Watson announced his retirement this morning after 15 seasons on the job.
Hired by UDM on June 10, 1993 after two years as an assistant at Michigan, Watson posted 10 winning seasons - including nine in a row between 1996 and 2004 - during his college head coaching career, all of which was spent at Detroit. He retires with a career record of 261-198, and more victories than any other Titan coach besides the legendary Bob Calihan.
Watson coached 14 games this season before taking a leave of absence for medical reasons on Jan. 7. Associate head coach Kevin Mondro has guided the Titans on an interim basis since that time while Watson continued to oversee the program in an administrative role. The team's 2007-08 season ended last night following a Horizon League tournament game at Wright State.
"I was blessed to have the opportunity to bring excitement and winning back to Titan Territory. We had some very good years, and a couple of disappointing ones," said Watson, who also won 302 games as a high school coach at Detroit Southwestern prior to embarking on his college career. "The challenges were great, but it was certainly rewarding to have great assistant coaches and so many appreciative players. I am extremely proud that given the demands of playing Division I basketball, my student-athletes achieved a better than 90 percent graduation rate.
"I wish the Titans success as they move forward."
University of Detroit Mercy's President, Fr. Gerard L. Stockhausen, S.J., praised Watson's legacy.
"UDM has indeed been blessed to have Perry Watson as head men's basketball coach for the past 15 years. He has been totally dedicated to our student-athletes and their success on the court, in the classroom and in their lives. It has been a joy to watch young men become not only better basketball players, but also more mature and confident persons, as a result of Perry's coaching," Fr. Stockhausen said. "In keeping with the mission of the University, he has set a standard of care for the whole person and the integral development of his players that will serve as a welcome challenge for all future coaches."
During his 15 years at UDM, Watson's teams claimed three regular-season conference championships, first in 1994 - his initial season at the Titan helm - and then in 1998 and '99. The latter two teams both played in the NCAA Tournament and both, too, scored headline-grabbing, first-round victories, over St. John's and UCLA, respectively. Watson's 2001 Titans won their way to the semi-finals of the NIT, and Detroit was invited back to that tournament one year later, completing Watson's four appearances in post-season play as a head coach.
The Titans' four consecutive 20-win seasons between 1998 and 2001 set a school record. They won 25 games in 1998 and again in '99, tying Detroit's all-time high.
Watson, selected the MCC Coach of the Year in 1998, coached 11 different All-League players during his tenure, as well as three conference Players of the Year (Willie Green, Jermaine Jackson and Rashad Phillips, the latter a two-time winner) and three Newcomers of the Year (Derrick Hayes, Phillips and Brandon Cotton). Green is in his fifth season with the Philadelphia 76ers after being selected in the second round of the 2003 draft, while Jackson and still another former Watson protégé, Desmond Ferguson, also played in the NBA after their Titan careers ended.
"We are very appreciative of coach Watson's efforts over the past 15 years" UDM athletic director Keri Gaither said. "Throughout his coaching career, he has always maintained a high value on education as a consummate teacher both on and off the court. Coach Watson's former players have gone on to successful careers in professional basketball and in other various vocations. We are grateful to coach Watson for his loyal service to the University and his commitment to the development of these young men."
Gaither also announced that Watson will be recognized for his years of service to the basketball program at the Titans' 2008 post-season banquet, to be held on March 17 at Detroit Golf Club.
Looking forward, a committee will be formed to provide input for the upcoming search process, although an outside consultant will assist in conducting the national search for Watson's successor as UDM head coach.
Story provided by UDM Office of Sports Information
