Kristin Watson

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Title

Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Email

kwatson3@umbc.edu

UMBC Volleyball great Kristin Watson (‘19) returned to her alma mater as the new assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the program in February 2026.

“Hiring for an open position on staff is always sensitive. For so many reasons, you have to get it right. As a head coach, not much I do impacts both our success and the experience of the student athletes like the people I choose to hire. In this case, I’m extremely optimistic we got this one right,” said Kasey Crider. “Kristin is someone I identified years ago as a short list candidate for any opening that might come about. Her experience both in the profession and at UMBC as an alum made her a natural fit, but it’s her character that makes her one of one. I’m genuinely thrilled to welcome her home, and honored that she’s chosen to work with us to continue the championship tradition she began laying the foundation for years ago.”

Watson had one of the most prolific careers in modern UMBC Volleyball history. The 2016 America East Defensive Specialist of the Year (first in UMBC history) was a two-time all-conference selection and still holds eight of the top 10 single game dig records. Her 1,471 digs are the most in the modern (25 point) rally score era, and off the court she was an All-Academic team member and served as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

“I’m honored to be back to UMBC and have the opportunity to coach at my alma mater! I’m so proud of the volleyball program’s growth, and am in awe of the excellence of winning on and off of the court,” said Watson. “In my conversations with Kasey, the value of learning and teaching the game at a high-level was evident. I’m looking forward to growing as a coach while working with Kasey and Alexis. Thank you to Tiffany D. Tucker, Jason Fein, Kelly Peloquin, and Kasey for this opportunity. I’m excited to work with our coaching staff, players, and support staff as we look to bring more championships to Retriever Nation! Go Dawgs! “

Watson comes back to Baltimore from Washington State where she spent the past two years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In her short time there she had two All-Freshmen team honorees, five All-Conference winners and and AVCA All-Region First Team selection.

Prior to her time in the Palouse, Watson spent two years at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi where she was the passing coach for the top ranked passing team in the Southland. There she coached both the SLC Player of the Year and the SLC Libero of the Year as well as seven SLC First Team Honorees and an SLC Second Team Honoree.

She arrived in Texas after one season at Bowling Green where she was the Director of Volleyball Operations for the Falcons. She got her start in collegiate coaching as a graduate assistant coach at Hood College for two years post-graduation.

Watson was also a successful club head coach at the Premier Academy & Maryland Juniors from 2017-2022.