Washburn University Athletics

Zach Watkins was named the 38th head coach in program history on Nov. 26, 2024 becoming the first Ichabod alumnus to fill the top spot on the Ichabod sidelines in more than 30 years. Watkins spent the previous 11 seasons as the co-defensive coordinator on the Ichabod coaching staff. 

Prior to joining the Ichabod staff, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Fort Hays State where he coached the defensive line for two seasons and the inside linebackers. Watkins spent one season as a graduate assistant at Northwest Missouri prior to joining the Tiger coaching staff. 

Watkins has coached 53 Ichabods to all-MIAA honors on the defensive side and directly coached 22 all-MIAA selections including 10 linebackers, three punters, three placekickers and six defensive backs. 

In 2017, he was selected as one of 34 NCAA football coaches and the only from the MIAA and one of only two from the Division II ranks who were picked to attend the 2017 NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy.

Watkins was a four-year starter at linebacker for Washburn from 2006-09 under current Fort Hays State head coach Chris Brown and defensive coordinator Cooper Harris. He put together a historic career for the Ichabods, registering 100 or more tackles in each season, compiling a school record 473 for his career. That mark also placed him third all-time in NCAA Division II history at the end of his career.

Watkins was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2006 following a season which saw him earn honorable mention all-MIAA and second team all-region honors. From there, Watkins went on to earn first-team All-MIAA in each of his final three seasons. In 2007, Watkins helped lead the team to the NCAA II Playoffs for the second time in school history. Watkins would go on to be named the MIAA and Daktronics regional Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 following a stellar senior season. He was also a first team All-America selection by the American Football Coaches Association in 2009 and a second team selection by Daktronics. In addition, Watkins was a three-time All-American selection by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.

Following his playing career at Washburn, Watkins was invited to the Minnesota Vikings mini-camp in 2010 before going into coaching. In the summer of 2011, Watkins played for Team USA in the IFAF World Championship and helped the USA defend its world title by defeating Canada in the Gold Medal Game. He was a first team all-tournament selection in the event.

His accolades go beyond the field as well as Watkins was a three-time selection as both Academic all-MIAA and as an MIAA Scholar Athlete. He was also an ESPN The Magazine / CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2008 and a Ken B. Jones MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year Award finalist in 2010.

Watkins, a native of Independence, Mo., graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washburn University in December of 2009 and completed his master’s degree in sports administration at Fort Hays State University in 2013. 

Watkins and his wife Amanda, have two children, a son, Parker and a daughter, Naomi.