Kristin Watson joined the Washington State women’s volleyball program as an assistant coach in the Spring of 2024, making the move to Pullman following two seasons on the volleyball staff coach at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
In Corpus Christi, Watson was a part of back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Southland Conference including a 2023 season that saw the Islanders win 15 of their final 16 matches in the regular season to finish with a 16-2 league record. Watson coached the passers and defenders for the Islanders who led the Southland Conference in average passing grade during her time as an assistant. Off the court, she also organized the team’s recruiting efforts, and was the program's camp director.
The Islanders had a trio of AVCA All-Region performers during Watson’s time on the sidelines — Belle Morgan (setter), Kyndal Payne (outside), and Carissa Barnes (libero) — with Payne earning back-to-back AVCA All-America honors in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Before her time in the Southland Conference, Watson was the Director of Volleyball Operations at Bowling Green for one season where she helped the Falcons to a 21-9 overall record and MAC East Division title in 2021.
Watson got her start in collegiate coaching as a women’s volleyball graduate assistant at Hood College for two seasons from 2019-21. She graduated from Hood College with a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies of human behavior in May 2021 and was chosen as one of only four recipients of the 2021 AVCA Coaches 4 Coaches scholarship.
On the court, Watson was a standout player in the America East Conference where she was voted the 2016 Defensive Specialist of the Year while playing for the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). She was a two-year captain, a two-time all-conference selection, won the UMBC Athletics Gritty Award for breakthrough athletes, and was an America East Volleyball All-Academic Team honoree for her work in the classroom.
Watson was heavily involved at UMBC as a student-athlete, serving as the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as well as interning in the UMBC Athletic Communications department before graduating Cum Laude in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in American studies.
Watson began her coaching career in 2016, coaching club at Maryland Juniors. She held both head coach and assistant coach roles, including leading her 12 Elite team to USAV Nationals in 2021.
QUOTEABLE - HEAD COACH KOREY SCHROEDER:
“Kristin has put herself in a position to learn from high-level coaches and programs in her career, and I’m excited for her to bring those experiences to Washington State. It was clear in my conversations with Kristin that her values align with the rest of our coaching staff’s. She believes in challenging student-athletes to compete at their best, while also supporting them when things are hardest. From what I already know of Kristin she is loyal, relatable, and committed to a growth-mindset as a person and coach. Kristin joining us immediately elevates our program, and I’m excited for her to be here in Pullman.”
QUOTEABLE - ASSISTANT COACH KRISTIN WATSON:
“I’m grateful to join the Washington State staff and build relationships with former, current, and future Cougars! It was evident throughout my conversations with Korey that he cares about people first and strives for excellence. I’m looking forward to getting to work with our high-character student-athletes as we embark in the new challenge of competing in the West Coast Conference this Fall.
Once I stepped foot on campus, it was clear how passionate everyone is about the culture in Pullman. The athletics department creates an environment that promotes holistic values for the student-athlete experience, which I’m excited to be a part of.
I’ve appreciated the time I’ve spent with amazing coaches and dedicated players at both Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi and Bowling Green State University.
Thank you to [Dir. of Athletics] Pat Chun, [Sr. Deputy Dir. of Athletics] Anne McCoy, [Deputy Dir. of Athletics] Ike Ukaegbu, and Korey (Schroder) for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to learning and growing with Korey, Jason, and Cassie. Go Cougs!”
