CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Kirkwood High School has hired Gallatin High School’s head coach Chad Watson as their first-ever head football coach during a news conference on Thursday.
The decision came after an extensive head coaching search that included 40 applicants and two rounds of interviews.
“When you’re building a new school and creating a new program, there are some have-to’s that you have to have,” said Kirkwood Athletic Director Josh Stoeckl. “They have to be detailed; they have to be organized. You would like to have them to have a culture of winning.
“Chad has a culture of winning, not only here in CMCSS, but he’s also been a head coach for six years. Five of those years his programs have made the state finals.”
Watson comes into this position with a substantial amount of coaching experience. His most recent head coaching stint was with Gallatin High School, which finished the 2022-23 football season with an overall record of 4-7.
Watson served as an assistant at schools such as Clarksville’s very own Northeast High, Clarksville Academy and Lancaster Christian Academy.
Watson speaks
“I’m excited to be back, transition back and we plan on being here for a really, really long time,” said Watson during the news conference. “First of all, the vision of this football program is that right now we are laying the foundation for the best football program that has ever been here in Montgomery County.
“If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it right. To obtain this, everybody from the managers to the coaches to the players to the parents to the boosters, have to be completely bought in to laying that foundation. Here at Kirkwood, one thing we’re really going to talk about is that we’re not just doing a football program, we’re trying to develop young men. We’re going to lay the foundation for what we’re trying to do in the business of building men,” Watson said.
“Along with that, we’re going to present a lot of opportunities as long as the student does what they’re supposed to do in the classroom. If they have the ability athletically, we are going to provide opportunities. I’ve been coaching for 14 years and in those 14 years I’ve had 64 kids receive an offer to play football at the college level. I cannot guarantee that, but if you do your part, if the kid does their part, then we’re going to provide every opportunity that we can.”
Kirkwood football and what to expect
Watson also gave a message to future players. First, the Kirkwood head coach expects his players to be good teammates as the team tries to build a strong culture.
Secondly, he wants players to understand that “you are who you are.” Watson said he expects his student-athletes’ best 24/7. Third, their experience will not be easy, and the head coach is going to push them and make them work hard.
Watson expects their offensive scheme will fit to fit their players. He plans on using an up-tempo, spread principles offensive attack. He said they’re going to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers whether that means throwing or running the ball against an opponent.
Meanwhile, Kirkwood’s defensive scheme will be based on Nick Saban’s principles and what Alabama does. That means sending people into the box to stop the run.
Special teams are just as important to Watson. The starting punter and long snapper at East Tennessee University both previously played for him.
Watson and Kirkwood High football will transition into playing in Region 7-6A when the 2023-24 football season officially kicks off.
Clarification: Kirkwood High will be in Region 7-6A. The article has been updated.