Head football coach Gary Watkins is entering his sixth-year at the helm of San Diego Mesa College football. 

Prior to joining the San Diego Mesa College program, Watkins coached four years under Ron Ponciano at Citrus College.  While at Citrus, Watkins helped lead the program to its first bowl victory in over a decade.  During his time at Citrus Watkins served as the quarterbacks and offensive line coach and the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for two seasons. Watkins came to the Owls after spending three seasons as the offensive coordinator at East Nashville High School. Prior to that, Watkins spent four seasons, as the quarterbacks coach, offensive line coach, and passing game coordinator at Monte Vista High School, helping lead Monte Vista to two CIF Playoff appearances.

Before settling into the coaching ranks, Watkins Jr. was a four year starter on the offensive line at Chapman University. Watkins prepped at Monte Vista High School, where he was a 1st team All-League and 2nd team All-County honoree. Watkins also was selected to participate in the California Shrine All-Star Game while attending Monte Vista.

Watkins Jr. holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Chapman University and a Master’s Degree in Sports and Health Sciences from American Military University. He currently resides in San Diego, CA with his wife Leah and three children Peyton Joy (7), Jordan Mariah (5) and Micah Elijah (1)

(2022) The San Diego Mesa College football program had one of its most successful campaigns since 1987, finishing 7-4, and qualifying for the Southern California Bowl, which they captured after defeating El Camino College 21-20. This was the 3rd consecutive year Watkin’s program has qualified for a national level bowl game. The program also defeated the #2 team in the state, Ventura College, 35-20. The program matriculated 7 transfers at the mid year including 3 players to the FBS level. Two athletes were selected to the all-state team and 14 named on the National Southern All-Conference Team. 

(2021) The program once again showed its commitment to its student-athletes by having 52 Olympians with over a 3.0 GPA. 13 student-athletes were named on the academic all-state team, which was the most by any program in the CCCAA. 8 student-athletes were selected to the SCFA Scholar Athletes team. 9 of the 12 sophomores in the program transferred to a 4-year program with a full football scholarship, and 11 student-athletes named on the all-conference team. For the second year in a row, the Mesa football program under the watch of Watkins were named ‘Kings of the County’ by once again defeating all county national level San Diego opponents. Finished 5th in the SCFA power ranking index, and led the team to the Western State Bowl Game, the second consecutive bowl game for the program. For the third consecutive season, the SD Mesa football program finished with the best overall record in San Diego. 

(2019) The 2019 San Diego Mesa Olympian football team matriculated all 20 sophomores to four-year universities under Watkins. 10 student-athletes were named to the SCFA All-Academic Team, 51 student-athletes with 3.0 GPA’s or higher for the fall of 2020, 9 all-conference players including 1 all-state payer. Watkins also created a new recruiting plan with led to over 50 San Diego recruits for 2020. Watkins team was also crowned, ‘Kings of the County’ by defeating all county opponents, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 1967. The team finished with 7-3 record leading the program to its first national level bowl game, a first in the program in over 30 years. Watkins high powered offense also scored the most points in a season since 2008. Watkins also served as a voting member for both the CCCAAA and CCCFCA coaches poll.

(2018) In 2018 while serving as the acting head coach, Watkins helped transition the Olympian football program from the American Conference into the National Conference where the program completed in arguably one of the toughest divisions in the nation.  During this season Watkins, led the Olympians to a 4-6 record overall.  During this season Watkins was fortunate to have 11 of his players selected to the all-conference team and one individual selected as an honorable mention All American.  

(2017) In 2017 while serving as the Offensive Coordinator for the Olympians, Watkins helped lead a program changing season which saw the team complete a 9-2 season and the first bowl championship in over 20 years. During this season eleven players from the offense alone received all conference honors. After taking over as the head coach following the 2017 football season, Watkins led the charge in the matriculation of 17 student athletes to the four year level to continue the educational and football careers via scholarships.