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Ben Watson returns to Union football coaching staff
Posted: Jun 03, 2025

Ben Watson returns to Union football coaching staff

Barbourville, Ky. – The Union Commonwealth University football program has added Ben Watson as an assistant coach. Watson will serve as UCU's linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, and recruiting coordinator.

Watson played college football at the University of the Cumberlands where he earned bachelor's degrees in both History and Education. He also earned a master's degree in Education and Teacher Leadership.

Following his playing days, Watson spent two seasons as a graduate assistant for the Patriots. He spent the 2023 season as an assistant coach with Union before spending the 2024 season as an assistant coach at Thomas Walker High School in Ewing, Va.

As UCU's defensive line coach in 2023, Watson guided Quinterrius Tanksley to a First-Team All-AAC selection and Byron Gee to a Second-Team All-AAC selection respectively.

In his previous tenure with Union, Watson recruited six freshman starters for the 2024 season. Of those, offensive lineman Cedric Irvin and defensive back Marquell Lewis were each named All-AAC Second-Team in 2024.

Watson, a Clay City, Ky., native is a 2017 graduate of Powell County High School where he was a team captain.

"I'm excited to be back with an amazing group of players," Watson said. "I'm excited to coach alongside a good group of men, and I know that their goals and morals strongly align with my own."

Union head coach Boston Bryant, who is entering his first season at the helm following two seasons as the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator, is happy to be working with Watson once again.

"Excited to get Ben back to Union," Bryant said. "Ben is very organized and detailed; and will be instrumental in finding future Bulldogs for our program. Ben's dedication to our student-athletes stands out most."

The Bulldogs open the 2025 season with a home night game against Cumberlands on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Battle for the Brass Lantern. Throughout the season, an up-to-date version of the 2025 UCU football schedule can be found by clicking here.