Mark Watt

Mark Watt brings over two decades of softball coaching experience to the Nebraska program. A 1978 Michigan graduate, Watt got his start in the coaching game in 1996 as the head coach at Lincoln Southeast in Nebraska. In 2002, Watt became the first head coach of Lincoln Southwest’s softball program. 

In addition to his softball coaching experience, Watt has a combined 21 years of experience coaching men’s and women’s basketball, boy’s volleyball, football and baseball. 

Watt received his Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Michigan in 1978 and his Masters in Education in Health Promotion and Wellness Management from Springfield College in 1989. 

Watt, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, resides in Lincoln with his wife, Ann. He has two daughters, Lindsay and Kelsey. 

COACHING EXPERIENCE

• Lincoln Southwest (2002-21)

  • Softball Head Coach (20 years)
  • Junior Varsity Baseball Head Coach (eight years)
• Lincoln Southeast (1996-2002)
  • Softball Head Coach (six years)
  • Boys’ Basketball Head Coach (four years) 
  • Girls’ Basketball Head Coach (two years) 
• Omaha Brownell-Talbot (1993-96)
  • Boys’ Basketball Head Coach (three years) 
  • Middle School Football Head Coach (two years) 
• TASIS-Hellenic International School in Athens, Greece (1981-83)
  • Athletic Director (two years) 
  • Boys’ Basketball Head Coach (two years)
  • Boys’ Volleyball Head Coach (two years) 

COACHING ACCOLADES

• NFHS National Softball Cocah of the Year (2021-22) 
• NFCA Region 1 Coaching Staff of the Year (2022) 
• Girls’ Coach of the Year, Lincoln Journal Star (2019) 
• Area Prep Sports Girls’ Coach of theYear, Lincoln Journal Star (2019) 
• Softball Coach of the Year, Nebraska Coaches Association (2009, 2022) 
• National High School Coaches Association, Softball Coach of the Year Nominee (2009, 2022) 
• Top Ten All-Academic Team - Six times since 2012 (top ten nationally for team grade point average)
• Coached three NFCA First Team All-Americans 
• Coached multiple student-athletes to NFCA All-Region honors 
• Coached one Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year (2019) 
• Coached three Nebraska Softball Player of the Year honorees 
• Coached three Super State Honorary Team Captains 

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE 

• TASIS-Hellenic International School Athletic Director (Athens, Greece; 1981-83)
• Softball Advisory Board, Nebraska Coaches Association (2005-22) 
• Wrote the original plan for the Nebraska Coaches Association Softball All-Star Game which was approved by the NCA Board and implemented in 2005