Former head coach Shawn Gibbs left the Wildcats after three seasons to join North Carolina A&T State University as their new head. Here’s who’ll replace him.
FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Fort Valley State University has their next head football coach.
After a two month search, the Wildcats announced they hired former Prairie View A&M University special teams coordinator and defensive line coach Marlon Watson to run the show in Fort Valley going forward.
Watson returns to Central Georgia, where he spent some time as the linebackers coach with Georgia Military College.
“We are excited to welcome Marlon Watson to the Wildcat family,” President Paul Jones said. “His depth of experience, leadership qualities and ability to elevate student-athletes on and off the field make him an outstanding choice to lead our football program. We look forward to seeing the energy and excellence he brings to Wildcat Nation.”
Watson has the responsibility of replacing former head coach Shawn Gibbs. Gibbs served as the head coach for three seasons, had a winning record every year he coached the Wildcats and helped the team bounce back from a 5-5 season in 2021. He accepted a job as North Carolina A&T State University’s new head coach.
While this is Watson’s first head coach job in his career, he has over a decade of coaching experience.
Watson spent the past two years with Prairie View A&M and was a part of the Panthers’ 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division Championship. He’s also served as a defensive coordinator at Upper Iowa University and at Elizabeth City State University. He was also a linebackers coach with Alabama A&M, working with players like All-SWAC linebacker Kenny Davis.
As a coach, he has developed players like Davis, alongside multiple All-Conference award winners. He also has been a strong recruiter, as he brought in Alabama A&M’s record setting quarterback Aqeel Glass and talented running back Jordan Bentley.
“I look forward to seeing Coach Marlon Watson’s leadership as our head football coach. He is an outstanding and authentic man with a strong passion for developing young men,” Interim Athletic Director Daphnie Johnson said. “His track record of competitive success at the collegiate levels makes me confident that he will lead our football program to new heights.”
Watson played linebacker at Northern Illinois and was part of a team that defeated Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State, and rose to No. 10 nationally. He also was a Mid-American Conference West Co-Champion and won the Silicon Valley Bowl multiple years in a row.
Fort Valley State’s new head coach will have a tough task replacing Gibbs. The former head coach found plenty of success, but time will tell if Watson can step up and keep up the Wildcats’ winning ways.
FVSU will hold a press conference introducing Watson to the community at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.
“I am grateful and extremely honored for the opportunity to lead the Fort Valley State University football program,” Watson said. “FVSU has a rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence. I look forward to serving our phenomenal student-athletes, partnering with our dedicated staff and fostering a positive relationship with our passionate community to build on that legacy.”
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