Perry Watson

Perry Watson
Biographical details
Born (1950-04-30) April 30, 1950 (age 74)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Playing career
1968–1970Henry Ford CC
1970–1972Eastern Michigan
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1979–1991Southwestern HS
1991–1993Michigan (assistant)
1993–2008Detroit
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 Horizon League tournament (1994, 1999)
2 Horizon League regular season (1998, 1999)
Awards
Horizon League Coach of the Year (1998)

Perry Watson (born April 30, 1950) is an American college basketball coach from Detroit, Michigan. He played for Eastern Michigan University (where he was a teammate of George Gervin), graduating in 1972.

In 1977, Watson took the head coaching position at Detroit Southwestern High School where he coached, among others, future NBA players Jalen Rose, Voshon Lenard and Howard Eisley. Watson left Southwestern to take a position on Steve Fisher's staff at the University of Michigan in 1991, coinciding with the arrival of the Fab Five of which Rose was a member.

After two years as an assistant under Fisher, Watson was hired as the head coach at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he spent the next 15 seasons. He compiled a record of 258–185, second in school history behind only Bob Calihan. He led the Titans to three Horizon League titles, along with their first NCAA Tournament wins since advancing all the way to the Sweet 16 in 1977.

Watson took an indefinite medical leave of absence in January 2008.[1] He resigned on March 5, 2008.[2] Perry Watson was an important character witness in the University of Michigan basketball scandal.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ "UDM Basketball Coach Watson Takes Medical Leave. He is considered one of the greatest coaches in University of Detroit Basketball History, Along with Dick Vitale". University of Detroit Mercy. January 7, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  2. ^ "Detroit coach Watson resigns after 15 seasons". ESPN. March 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  3. ^ Cnockaert, Jim (2002-03-22). "Accident's effects still felt six years later: Roberson: It changed the athletic department". MLive.com. Ann Arbor News. Archived from the original on August 27, 2002. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  4. ^ "Ed Martin Revealed: His long and infamous road into Michigan basketball history". The Michigan Daily. 2003-05-12. Retrieved 2008-08-13.