Women's Basketball Southern Conference

Davidson Hires Annette Watts as Women's Basketball Coach

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Davidson Director of Athletics Jim Murphy announced Monday that Annette Watts, a successful veteran coach at both the high school and collegiate level, has been named the new head women's basketball coach.

"I'm excited and thrilled," said Coach Watts. "It's a new beginning for Davidson women's basketball and I'm looking forward to being a part of the Davidson family."

Watts, with nearly 20 years of coaching experience, becomes the eighth head coach in Davidson's women's history. She replaces John Filar who resigned on March 27.

"After talking with the returning players we know we have work to do," said Watts. "Our first priority will be to instill confidence in this team -- the belief that we can be successful. The spirit and enthusiasm they have gives me confidence in their commitment to do whatever it takes to succeed."

Formerly Annette Culberson, she is married to Mike Watts, a professional race car driver.

"Annette brings strong technical skills coupled with an energy level needed to move our program forward," said Murphy. "Her experience in a Final Four program and background in teaching are appealing to our student-athletes, and her charismatic enthusiasm is contagious."

Murphy's comments were echoed by Andy Landers, head coach of the University of Georgia Lady Bulldogs, who recruited Watts in high school. "I've known Annette for a long time," said Coach Landers. "She has great character and a great value and moral system. She communicates superbly with people and particularly with student-athletes. I wish I had about a third of her energy."

Watts comes to Davidson after spending the last two seasons as head coach at Jackson County Comprehensive High School in Jefferson, Ga. She guided her team to this year's state quarterfinals and the Lady Panthers had an overall record of 38-20 during her two years at the helm of the program. Her success on the court at Jackson County earned her Coach of the Year honors from the Jackson Herald News.

Prior to her returning to Georgia, Watts spent two seasons as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow at N.C. State. While with the Wolfpack, she was responsible for scouting opposing teams and recruiting, as well as on-floor coaching. Watts helped lead the 1997-98 Wolfpack squad to its first Final Four appearance. During her two-year tenure in Raleigh, the Wolfpack went 42-19 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament both years.

Coach Watts spent four seasons as a scholarship athlete at East Tennessee State University where she played guard and helped the Lady Bucs compile a record of 54-54. She received a Bachelor of Science from ETSU in 1981, and also completed her post-graduate work there, earning a Masters Degree in Secondary Math Education in 1985.

"I think this well be a great opportunity for both Annette and Davidson," said former ETSU head coach Debbie Richardson, Assistant Athletic Director at Campbell University. "She is going to bring enthusiasm and energy to the program. She has a strong history of moving programs in a positive direction and will bring lots of excitement for Wildcats fans coming up in the future."

After departing ETSU, Watts taught and coached basketball at Greeneville (Tenn.) High School for eight years. Active in the Greeneville community, she headed up the Lady Devil (YMCA) Basketball Camp for seven years.

Watts moved south from Greeneville and served as head women's coach and full-time teacher at Robert Wood Johnson Comprehensive High School in Gainesville, Ga. where she compiled a career mark of 125-51. She was named Gainesville Times Coach of the Year three times ('92, '95, '96) and also served as director of the Lady Knight Basketball Camp from 1990-95.

Davidson returns 11 players, including five players who started eight or more games, from a team which finished 9-19 overall and ninth in the Southern Conference (4-14). Coach Watts and the Wildcats open the 2001-02 season on Friday, November 16 at the United States Military Academy Tournament in West Point, N.Y. The tournament field includes Army, Pennsylvania and Hofstra.