University of Mount Saint Vincent Athletics

Max Watson, a highly touted, up and coming head coach with New York City ties, was announced as the University of Mount Saint Vincent's newest head coach of the men's soccer program on February 1, 2025.
 
The Manhattan, New York native also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics, where he works side-by-side with student athletes and coaches across the department to ensure success in the classroom.
 
Watson's most recent stop was with Skyline Conference rival SUNY Maritime, where he spent the last two seasons. Despite the brief stint with the Privateers, UMSV's newest leader left an indelible mark on the program. Watson jumped from three wins in year one to seven in year two while holding an undefeated streak at Reinhart Field, Maritime's home turf. 
 
Watson's impact was felt in other facets as well. His fundraising abilities were on full display, as he helped bring in nearly $20,000 in donations since 2023. He also forged relationships across campus to cultivate a recruiting strategy that brought in 15 players across two freshmen classes. 
 
Watson, who was named to the United Soccer Coaches "30 Under 30" list in 2022, kicked off his collegiate head coaching career at the Division-I level with the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington after spending eight months as an assistant and recruiting coordinator with the Keydets. It was there where Watson's leadership and execution were on full display. He once again found success in all facets of college athletics, as he not only recorded the highest win total in since 2013 but also led the team to its highest GPA in seven seasons while leading the charge in data analytics, sports science, recruiting and film breakdowns. 
 
Watson's time with VMI was preceded by a three-year stint on the University of Mary Washington's staff, an institution where he also received his Masters of Business Administration. 
 
Watson's experience spans beyond college and into the club realm. He currently serves as Downtown United Soccer Club's Assistant Director of Coaching and College Events Coordinator while simultaneously performing as an Academy Scout with DC United. Watson has prior stints with the Stafford Soccer Club as the Director of Player Development and Fredericksburg Football Club, as well as two pit stops at the high school level with Mountain View (Stafford, Virginia) and Riverbed (Fredericksburg, Virginia). 
 
Watson received his United States Soccer Federation "B" coaching license in 2024 and a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma in 2017. 
 
Watson spent his playing days with Division-III Franklin & Marshall College, where he earned a Centennial Conference Championship in 2013.