R.L. Watson

R.L. Watson graduated from Vigor High School in Prichard, Alabama and Livingston (now West Alabama). He was a three time letterman on the football field at Livingston between 1965-68. Watson got his first experience as a head football coach in 1972 at Patrician Academy where he remained for two seasons. In 1974 he moved to Escambia Academy in Atmore for one campaign. He accepted the head football coaching position at Alba High School in 1979. The Sharks had just broken a 30-game losing streak when Watson took over. Within four years, Alba had become a Mobile County power, having completed a 9-1 regular season in 1982. That team reached the semi-finals of the state playoffs. His 1985 team finished the season with an 11-1 mark. It was a huge turn around for the Sharks but Coach Watson stepped down following the 1987 season. In 1988 he moved to Baldwin County High School in Bay Minette. Watson came to BCHS on the heels of Gary Atkins, who coached the Tigers to a 2-8 record in 1987. He inherited a Tigers team that had gone 20-62 in the early 1980s and had experienced eight straight losing seasons. The Tigers finished 6-4 in their first campaign under Watson then turned in regular season marks of 10-0, 7-3, 7-3 and 8-2. That included four straight area championships. After coaching the Tigers for five seasons it was time to move on. In 1993 Coach Watson left Baldwin County for Andalusia High School. At Andalusia, Watson found a similar project on his hands. The Class 5A Bulldogs went 1-9 in 1992 under Douglas Prater. The going was much tougher and in two years his teams finished 1-19. Coach Watson would step down following the 1994 season and retire from his sideline duties as a head football coach. Watsons overall football record is 116-86-1 during his career. His teams reached the playoffs a total of nine times and won six area titles.