Tackling New Challenges

Long before he was named Washburn’s head football coach, Zach Watkins already had a blueprint in place for how he’d lead the program, so that if the day he dreamt of ever came, he’d be ready.

A major part of the former All-American linebacker’s plan – to emphasize a family atmosphere and draw in fans of all ages, both on and off campus – was already on display at a November press conference, when Watkins, bba ’09, was introduced as Washburn’s 38th head football coach.

Watkins’ wife, Amanda, and their 2-year-old daughter, Naomi, were on hand, but nobody was more amped for the new era of Ichabod football than their 5-year-old son, Parker.

“My son knows I’m head coach, but I don’t know if he knows what that means,” Watkins said. “He calls me Head Coach Dad sometimes. He wondered why I was wearing a suit and everyone was listening to me talk.”

As Parker learned that day, when you’re the head coach, all eyes and ears are on you. The title is a first for Watkins, but one he earned after years of success as a player and assistant.

“I walked on here in 2005 and redshirted my first year,” said Watkins, who led Washburn to four winning seasons and a playoff appearance as a player. “I started the next four years, but I kept that mentality of a walk on, that you have to earn everything. Nothing is given to you. I apply that to coaching in general, but especially now in the head coach seat.”

The Independence, Missouri, native spent three years as an assistant coach at Fort Hays State before returning to the sidelines at Washburn in 2014. In his 11 years as co-defensive coordinator, Watkins coached 56 Ichabods to all-MIAA honors on the defensive side of the ball.

The chance to lead his alma mater may have been something Watkins prepared for, but when athletic director Loren Ferré told him he was the choice, he needed some time to compose himself.

“I was speechless for a minute,” Watkins said. “I’m not normally speechless, but I was then. I had to sit there and reflect. I thanked him and called my wife. That day was incredible, and the months since have been great too, seeing the support from boosters, donors, alumni and friends who care about Washburn and the football program.”

Watkins takes over for Craig Schurig, whose 22-year Ichabod career ended on Nov. 18 when Washburn announced a change in leadership. Replacing Schurig, the program’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 142-109, is a tall task, but Ferré knew nobody was better suited than Watkins.

“Coach Watkins has a detailed plan to power the program forward,” Ferré said. “While the position attracted a lot of interest from other coaching candidates, we are confident the best candidate is already on our sideline. Zach brings a deep understanding of what it takes to win in the MIAA and is hitting the ground running. Having earned the respect and support of his players as well as other coaches in the conference, Zach is well prepared to take this program to the next level and keep it there.”

Shortly after his hiring, Watkins scheduled several meetings with professors to introduce himself and seek input on generating campus-wide support. Football players will attend every other teams’ games, along with other team-building activities. For example, when the softball team hosted the Ichabod Invitational in February, football players volunteered to shovel snow off the diamond before games. They also attended a showcase the Dancing Blues put on before they went to nationals.

These little things will all contribute to the success of Washburn’s football program. But Watkins understands the bottom line is the team’s record. After going 9-3 with a playoff appearance in 2021 and 7-4 in 2022, the Ichabods won just five games total over the past two seasons.

Watkins has a plan to change that as well. As a player, he recorded 473 tackles, a school record that still stands. Racking up 100-plus tackles every year requires a great deal of skill, but also pride, hustle and other intangibles he’ll stress as head coach.

“We have a lot of support,” Watkins said. “A lot has been given to us from fans, alumni and boosters. But the MIAA won’t give you anything. You have to earn wins in the spring and summertime. That’s the mindset we’re trying to give to players now. It’s an extremely tough conference, but there’s a lot of success to be had, and we can have it at Washburn.”