Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Rodney Watson named head coach at Southern Indiana
05/22/2009 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
May 22, 2009
After 21 seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois, the dean of Missouri Valley Conference coaches -- Rodney Watson -- is no longer a Saluki. The 48-year-old native of Paris, Ill. was named head coach of Division II powerhouse Southern Indiana at a press conference in Evansville on Friday.
"I'll never leave southern Illinois," Watson said during his press conference. "It's an incredible place. When Carole and I first moved to the area, I told her all I wanted to do is stay in southern Illinois for two years. I felt like an island hopper. Twenty years later...it's hard, I have great friends and it's a great school and great program."
Watson was the one constant during the past decade as SIU transitioned from head coach Bruce Weber to Matt Painter to Chris Lowery. During Watson's tenure, the Salukis won 11 Missouri Valley Conference championships and qualified for nine NCAA Tournaments and five NITs. The Salukis compiled a 430-238 record during Watson's 21 seasons, including 15 postseason appearances.
"It's very similar to Coach Weber's situation in that he was a loyal assistant at Purdue for 18 years," Lowery said. "Now, he gets a terrific opportunity to get a great job. I'm just excited for him. When you see how hard he works on a daily basis, you see him enjoy where he works and treat it like the best job in the country, you just know he's going to be successful."
Watson replaces Rick Herdes, who compiled a record of 200-59 in eight seasons and guided his team to six NCAA Tournament appearances.
"USI is getting a heckuva coach, and a guy who is going to come in there and work hard and win the people over," Lowery said.
Prior to Herdes tenure, current Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl was head coach at the school for nine seasons.
"USI is one of the top five Division II programs in the country," noted Lowery. "They're like the (North) Carolina or Duke of Division II."
Watson has been a finalist for several other head coaching jobs in recent years, but said he's glad he waited for the opportunity at USI.
"God has a place for all of us, and there's a reason I am here today," Watson said. "Maybe I've been too picky, but I'm glad I was, because I'm thrilled to have this opportunity."
Watson began his coaching career at Coulterville High School in 1983, where he guided the school to its first regional championship. He moved to Madison, Ill. in 1984, and led Madison High School to a regional and sectional championship, advancing to the Elite Eight.
Watson used his success at the high school level as a springboard to the college ranks. He coached two years at Nebraska-Omaha (1986-88) before joining Rich Herrin's staff at SIU in 1988.
Watson and his wife, Carol, have four children, Ashley (17), Zach (16) and twins Olivia and Blake (12).
