Ross Watson

Ross Watson is in his third season as a graduate assistant coach with the Nebraska defensive staff. In his first two years in Lincoln, Watson assisted in a dramatic Cornhusker defensive resurgence. Nebraska ranked second in the Big 12 in total defense in 2008, and improved its per game average by more than 125 yards, before leading the nation in scoring defense and ranking seventh nationally in total defense in 2009.

Watson joined the Huskers after spending two seasons as the cornerbacks coach at his alma mater, Division III powerhouse Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. During Watson's two years on the Purple Raider staff, Mount Union posted a 29-1 record and won the 2006 national championship, before finishing as the Division III runner-up in 2007.

In 2007, Watson assisted with a defense that posted seven shutouts, including six straight at one point in the season. Mount Union held opponents to just 173.7 total yards per game and intercepted 17 passes during the season. In 2006, the Raider defense was just as strong, allowing just 186.0 yards per game and earning four shutouts during a 15-0 season. Mount Union also intercepted 22 passes during its 2006 championship run.

The 26-year-old Watson was a four-year letterwinner (2002-05) for Mount Union before joining the coaching staff. He started for each of his final three years at cornerback and earned first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference and first-team AFCA All-America honors as a senior in 2005. Watson led the team with nine interceptions as a senior, just one shy of the school record. In his career, Watson totaled 146 tackles, 14 interceptions and 29 pass breakups.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Watson graduated from Mount Union in 2006 with a degree in business administration. He is pursuing a master's degree in education administration at Nebraska.