Michigan State University Athletics
Watts Named MSU's Offensive Coordinator
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
February 15, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Morris Watts, who served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Louisiana State for the last four years, has accepted the same roles at Michigan State, head coach Nick Saban announced Monday. Watts is set to begin his third stint as Michigan State's offensive coordinator, having previously served in that capacity for former head coach George Perles for eight seasons, from 1986-90 and 1992-94. He replaces Gary Tranquill, who resigned Feb. 8 to become offensive coordinator at Virginia.
In addition to the hiring of Watts, Saban announced two staff promotions, with running backs coach Bobby Williams being named associate head coach and offensive line coach Pat Ruel taking on the added responsibilities of assistant head coach.
The 61-year-old Watts comes to Michigan State following a four-year stint at Louisiana State (1995-98) where he helped develop one of the Southeastern Conferences most potent offenses. In 1998, LSU's offense featured the SEC's top rusher in All-American Kevin Faulk (1,279 rushing yards and 12 TDs) and the league's second-rated passer in Herb Tyler (147.2 rating). Last year, the Tigers ranked among the SEC leaders in rushing (fourth at 168.5 yards per game) and scoring (fifth at 30.6 points).
Watts helped LSU to a combined record of 31-16 (.660) from 1995-98, including a school-record three-consecutive bowl victories (1995 Independence beat Michigan State, 45-26; '96 Peach defeated Clemson, 10-7; and '97 Independence beat Notre Dame, 27-9). Under his direction, the Tigers won back-to-back SEC rushing titles in 1996 and '97. He produced three of the highest scoring teams in LSU history, with the 1996 (29.5 points per game), '97 (31.5) and '98 (30.6) teams ranking among the top 10. Watts helped design two of the most prolific offensive units in school history, with the '96 team averaging 399.9 total yards and the '97 squad averaging 410.6 yards - the fifth-best single-season mark in LSU history. He coached four All-Americans at LSU, including Faulk, the school's all-time leading rusher with 4,557 career yards, tight end David LaFleur, center Todd McClure and offensive guard Alan Faneca.
"Morris Watts is one of the most-respected offensive coordinators in the college game," Saban said. "Morris has more than 30 years experience as a coach and he's been successful at every stop along the way. We coached together here at Michigan State in 1986-87 and were fortunate to have him back.
"He helped Michigan State to a successful run in the late 1980s and he wants to help build this program into a championship contender."
Watts first came to Michigan State as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 1986. During his tenure from 1986-90, Michigan State compiled a 37-19-3 record (.652), won two Big Ten titles (1987 and 90) and made four postseason bowl appearances (1987 Rose, '88 Gator, '89 Aloha and '90 Sun). His stay at Michigan State was interrupted by a one-year stint as quarterbacks coach with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he tutored Vinny Testaverde. Watts returned to East Lansing, Mich., in 1992 and spent three more seasons on the Spartan coaching staff, serving as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
"I'm excited about returning to Michigan State and working with Coach Saban," Watts said. "Obviously, at this point in my career, I'm not making a move for the sake of changing scenery. I took this job because it's Michigan State. I know this program is on its way back and I want to be a part of it. I think there's a lot of talent returning on the offensive side of the football and I'm looking forward to getting on the practice fields this spring."
His coaching credits also include stops at the USFL's Birmingham Stallions (quarterbacks, 1984-85), LSU (quarterbacks, 1983), Kansas (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks, 1982), Indiana (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and wide receivers, 1973-81), Louisville (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and wide receivers, 1972) and Drake (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and wide receivers, 1965-71).
A native of Seneca, Mo., Watts played running back at Tulsa where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1961. He received a master's degree from Pittsburg (Kan.) State in 1964.
He is married to the former Marlene Kay Hughes of Pawhuska, Okla. They have two children, a daughter, Charlavan, and a son, Danny, plus two grandchildren, Alec and Ani.
