Grant Watley enters his first year as a volunteer coach at Nebraska after graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2009 with a degree in health and fitness studies as well as a minor in coaching. Watley has previous experience with the Husker program, as he served as a volunteer intern in the spring of 2009, assisting with the day-to-day operations and administration at home meets.
A 2004 graduate of Lincoln Christian High School, Watley then coached at the school in 2005 when the Crusaders’ men’s team finish runner-up at the state cross country meet.
In 2006, Watley moved to Lincoln Lutheran High School and coached there for five years. He was a member of the coaching staff that won the 2008 Class C team title on the men’s side. While working with the Warriors’ cross country team in 2007, he became the first coach in school history to take both the men’s and women’s programs to the state meet in the same season.
Watley is currently working on a master’s of sport science in sports coaching at the United State Sports Academy and then plans on earning a PhD in sport management. He is also a USA Track and Field Level 1 certified coach. Watley and his wife Angela live in Lincoln.