Men's Golf
Brian Watts
- Title:
- Head Coach
Brian Watts returned to Oregon State as head men's golf coach in 2026, serving in his second tenure after previously leading the Beavers for nine seasons from 2001 to 2010.
During his first tenure at Oregon State, Watts guided the Beavers to five NCAA Regional appearances, in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, and directed OSU to a 16th-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Championships.
His teams claimed eight tournament titles, and his golfers won 11 tournaments individually.
Two of his players, Diego Velasquez (2010) and James Allenby (2008), earned All-America honors, with Velasquez selected as a first-teamer by the GCAA and Golfweek. Velasquez set a program record with eight top-10 finishes and posted a then-school-record 70.31 scoring average during the 2009-10 season, a mark that helped his career average settle at 72.06, currently third in program history.
Allenby holds Oregon State's individual career scoring record, having averaged 71.46 shots per round over 67 rounds in two seasons.
Watts also coached Paul Peterson, whose 2008-09 season average of 71.85 ranks among the top 20 in program history. Peterson has since gone on to a professional career.
Watts left Oregon State to become head coach at Army West Point, where he spent seven seasons from 2010-17. He led the Black Knights to three postseason appearances, two Patriot League titles and five additional top-three Patriot League finishes, and was named Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 2015.
Army had five Patriot League individual champions during his tenure, including Marcus Plunkett, a three-time All-Patriot League selection and the league's 2013 Rookie of the Year who has since gone on to a professional career on the PGA Tour.
Following his time at Army, Watts worked with Second Nine Golf and later served as athletic director at Reedsport High School from 2022-25. He has also led Coach Watts Consulting since May 2020.
Before his first stint as Oregon State's head coach, Watts served as an assistant coach for both the Beavers' men's and women's golf programs. He also competed professionally for four years on various tours, including the Golden State Tour, the Space Coast Tour and the Canadian PGA Tour.
A Reedsport, Ore., native, Watts spent one season as a recruited football player at Oregon State before transferring to Western Oregon State College (now Western Oregon) in 1989.
Watts is married to Missy. He has four children: Brian, Madeline (married to Alex), Olivia and Alexandra.
What They're Saying About Brian Watts
"I am excited to announce that Brian will be returning to Corvallis as our next head coach. He had significant success during a nine-year tenure at Oregon State, then seven years at Army West Point, and is a well-respected coach and mentor in the golf community. Oregon State is fortunate to have him return to lead this program."
– Kevin Griffin, Oregon State Vice President and Director of Athletics
"I will always be grateful for the opportunity to play for Coach Watts at Oregon State. His emphasis on character, accountability, and pursuing excellence helped shape my approach to leadership and has been a guiding influence throughout my nearly 20-year career at Nike. Just as importantly, the values he instilled in his players continue to impact how I approach life and parenthood today."
– Brad Simpson, Oregon State letterwinner (2004-05)
"Coach Watts played a pivotal role in shaping my character and development. He excels at building disciplined, tight-knit programs rooted in hard work, accountability, and a genuine sense of family. His deep understanding of the game and elite coaching ability is unmatched. I place complete trust in him as a coach, mentor, and lifelong friend."
– Marcus Plunkett, professional golfer, Army West Point letterwinner (2012-16)
"From the moment he recruited me all the way to present day, Coach Watts has wanted the best for me along with every other player I watched him recruit. He establishes a fantastic culture within the program. I wouldn't be the man I am today without the lessons I learned being a part of his team. The lessons he taught us are applicable both on and off the course and I can't think of a better person to coach the current and future players who attend the Oregon State University Men's Golf Program.
"The city of Corvallis and OSU are so lucky to have someone like Coach Watts returning to the program. He brings a ton of experience recruiting talent and has the ability to turn those players into the best men and golfers they can be. As an alum, I couldn't be happier to have Coach Watts continue the momentum that Coach Reehoorn has created over the past decade with the program and cannot wait to see what the future holds for this team."
– Paul Peterson, professional golfer, Oregon State letterwinner (2007-10)
"Coach Watts was like my second father and was the main reason I chose Oregon State over my other options. He believed in me since day one and always cared about my well-being. He always made me go the extra mile and pushed me to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. He is a mentor and a great friend. Coach Watts is always willing to help others. He will do anything to help you be successful on and off the course. His charisma and personality are what set him apart from other coaches."
– Diego Velasquez, Oregon State letterwinner (2007-10)
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During his first tenure at Oregon State, Watts guided the Beavers to five NCAA Regional appearances, in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, and directed OSU to a 16th-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Championships.
His teams claimed eight tournament titles, and his golfers won 11 tournaments individually.
Two of his players, Diego Velasquez (2010) and James Allenby (2008), earned All-America honors, with Velasquez selected as a first-teamer by the GCAA and Golfweek. Velasquez set a program record with eight top-10 finishes and posted a then-school-record 70.31 scoring average during the 2009-10 season, a mark that helped his career average settle at 72.06, currently third in program history.
Allenby holds Oregon State's individual career scoring record, having averaged 71.46 shots per round over 67 rounds in two seasons.
Watts also coached Paul Peterson, whose 2008-09 season average of 71.85 ranks among the top 20 in program history. Peterson has since gone on to a professional career.
Watts left Oregon State to become head coach at Army West Point, where he spent seven seasons from 2010-17. He led the Black Knights to three postseason appearances, two Patriot League titles and five additional top-three Patriot League finishes, and was named Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 2015.
Army had five Patriot League individual champions during his tenure, including Marcus Plunkett, a three-time All-Patriot League selection and the league's 2013 Rookie of the Year who has since gone on to a professional career on the PGA Tour.
Following his time at Army, Watts worked with Second Nine Golf and later served as athletic director at Reedsport High School from 2022-25. He has also led Coach Watts Consulting since May 2020.
Before his first stint as Oregon State's head coach, Watts served as an assistant coach for both the Beavers' men's and women's golf programs. He also competed professionally for four years on various tours, including the Golden State Tour, the Space Coast Tour and the Canadian PGA Tour.
A Reedsport, Ore., native, Watts spent one season as a recruited football player at Oregon State before transferring to Western Oregon State College (now Western Oregon) in 1989.
Watts is married to Missy. He has four children: Brian, Madeline (married to Alex), Olivia and Alexandra.
What They're Saying About Brian Watts
"I am excited to announce that Brian will be returning to Corvallis as our next head coach. He had significant success during a nine-year tenure at Oregon State, then seven years at Army West Point, and is a well-respected coach and mentor in the golf community. Oregon State is fortunate to have him return to lead this program."
– Kevin Griffin, Oregon State Vice President and Director of Athletics
"I will always be grateful for the opportunity to play for Coach Watts at Oregon State. His emphasis on character, accountability, and pursuing excellence helped shape my approach to leadership and has been a guiding influence throughout my nearly 20-year career at Nike. Just as importantly, the values he instilled in his players continue to impact how I approach life and parenthood today."
– Brad Simpson, Oregon State letterwinner (2004-05)
"Coach Watts played a pivotal role in shaping my character and development. He excels at building disciplined, tight-knit programs rooted in hard work, accountability, and a genuine sense of family. His deep understanding of the game and elite coaching ability is unmatched. I place complete trust in him as a coach, mentor, and lifelong friend."
– Marcus Plunkett, professional golfer, Army West Point letterwinner (2012-16)
"From the moment he recruited me all the way to present day, Coach Watts has wanted the best for me along with every other player I watched him recruit. He establishes a fantastic culture within the program. I wouldn't be the man I am today without the lessons I learned being a part of his team. The lessons he taught us are applicable both on and off the course and I can't think of a better person to coach the current and future players who attend the Oregon State University Men's Golf Program.
"The city of Corvallis and OSU are so lucky to have someone like Coach Watts returning to the program. He brings a ton of experience recruiting talent and has the ability to turn those players into the best men and golfers they can be. As an alum, I couldn't be happier to have Coach Watts continue the momentum that Coach Reehoorn has created over the past decade with the program and cannot wait to see what the future holds for this team."
– Paul Peterson, professional golfer, Oregon State letterwinner (2007-10)
"Coach Watts was like my second father and was the main reason I chose Oregon State over my other options. He believed in me since day one and always cared about my well-being. He always made me go the extra mile and pushed me to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. He is a mentor and a great friend. Coach Watts is always willing to help others. He will do anything to help you be successful on and off the course. His charisma and personality are what set him apart from other coaches."
– Diego Velasquez, Oregon State letterwinner (2007-10)
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