ROCKLIN, Calif. – Jessup Athletics has named Mark Watson as the new Head Coach of the softball program. Watson takes the helm after serving three successful years as an assistant, culminating in his role as Associate Head Coach. 
Watson steps into the head coaching role during a period of historic success for Jessup softball, having heavily contributed to the program's seamless and triumphant transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II.

During his tenure, Watson helped guide the Warriors to over 100 victories and a historic transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. His time on staff includes a 2024 GSAC League Title and NAIA World Series National Runner-Up finish, an NCCAA National Title in 2025, and a fourth-place PacWest finish this past season, which secured Jessup University's first-ever PacWest postseason berth by any sports program.

"Mark Watson is the right leader to continue the incredible momentum of our softball program," said Jessup Director of Athletics, Scott Sorgea. "Over the past three years, Mark has played an instrumental role in building one of the premier programs in the West region, and he has done so with humility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to our student-athletes. His leadership has already helped guide our team through one of the most successful eras in program history, including conference championships, national postseason success, and our transition into NCAA Division II competition."

Watson's championship pedigree is backed by a coaching career that began in 2011, sending hundreds of travel ball players to college programs ranging from Junior College to Division I. Prior to Jessup, he spent nine years coaching at Whitney High School, securing two league titles (2019, 2024), two Section titles (2019, 2023), and back-to-back state semifinal appearances (2023, 2024), while earning three selections to coach the Senior Optimist game.

"What makes Mark especially unique is his ability to develop meaningful relationships with our student-athletes while also maintaining a championship standard of excellence," said Sorgea. "He understands what it means to compete at a high level while honoring Christ in the process. Our players respect him, our staff believes in him, and our administration has full confidence in his vision for the future."  

Driven by a deeper purpose on the field, Watson looks forward to mentoring the roster and continuing a tradition of excellence. 

"I coach because it gives me an opportunity to impact the lives of female student-athletes," Watson said. "Being a 'girl dad' to my own daughters, I have seen the importance of having an authentic presence in a young athlete's corner. I take pride in building a support system and being someone our athletes can come to for guidance and direction both within the game and outside of it."

Looking ahead, Watson is eager to sustain the program's elite standards while keeping faith and character at the center of the team's mission. Watson expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to lead the program forward while honoring the elite standard set before him.

"I have been lucky enough to be involved with this program for several years now and I can confidently say that filling Coach Brie's shoes will be no easy feat," Watson said. "The culture she has built has produced the foundation for a winning program, brick by brick. I am excited for the opportunity to continue building on this program with the goal in mind: win big by honoring God, and do it with good people that work hard, with drive, and accountability!"

With a championship foundation already laid and a proven leader at the helm, the future of Jessup Warriors softball remains incredibly bright and we're excited to see Coach Watson lead this program into its next chapter Sorgea concluded.  
Jessup University is a provisional member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Instagram & X).