Bert Watts, who spent the past season at Memphis as linebackers coach after three seasons at Fresno State, including two as defensive coordinator, is in his first season at Auburn. Watts coaches outside linebackers and is the Special Teams Coordinator.
Watts helped the Tigers to an 8-3 record and a bowl victory in 2020, while defensively the unit was top 20 nationally in red zone defense, turnovers gained and fumbles recovered.
In three seasons at Fresno State (2017-19), Watts’ defense ranked in the Top 10 nationally in several statistical categories. In 2018, the Bulldogs finished with a 12-2 record and were Mountain West Champions.
In 2018, the Bulldogs ranked third nationally in scoring defense, surrendering 14.1 points per game. Fresno State also finished the 2018 campaign ranked in the Top 10 in the FBS in red zone defense (1st), scoring defense (3rd), passes intercepted (4th), passing efficiency defense (5th) and turnover margin (9th). Individually, Watts helped mentor linebacker Jeff Allison as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.
Prior to Fresno State, Watts spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator at UC Davis with a focus on the defensive backs unit.
His first season overseeing the UC Davis defense in 2013 resulted in four of his players earning postseason recognition from the Big Sky Conference. Two more were recognized the next season and five more earned honors from the conference in 2016.
Defensive lineman Nick King was a second team pick after amassing eight sacks, cornerback Jonathan Perkins had four pass breakups on his way to third-team accolades, linebacker Steven Pitts earned honorable mention after tallying 74 tackles and 11.5 TFLs, and cornerback Shamawn Wright was selected honorable mention after leading the team with nine PBUs. Pitts returned to the All-Big Sky honorable mention squad in 2014 and was joined by safety Charles Boyett.
In 2016, defensive tackle Inoke Raikadroka was named a second-team selection after compiling 24 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.0 sacks and one fumble recovery in nine games played. Defensive tackle Zak Pettit, inside linebacker Nas Anesi, cornerback Keleen Culberson and safety Zach Jones earned honorable mention recognition.
The Basking Ridge, N.J. native also holds NFL experience, helping the Denver Broncos earn the top seed in the AFC playoffs in 2012.
A three-year letterwinner at Cal, Watts led the Bears’ defense with 80 tackles as a senior in 2002. Following his senior year, he was the recipient of the team’s Joe Roth Award, given to the player that exemplifies superior courage, attitude and sportsmanship.
Watts earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of California. He is married to the former Lyndsay Graubard, and the couple has two children, Vedder and Willow.
Watts helped the Tigers to an 8-3 record and a bowl victory in 2020, while defensively the unit was top 20 nationally in red zone defense, turnovers gained and fumbles recovered.
In three seasons at Fresno State (2017-19), Watts’ defense ranked in the Top 10 nationally in several statistical categories. In 2018, the Bulldogs finished with a 12-2 record and were Mountain West Champions.
In 2018, the Bulldogs ranked third nationally in scoring defense, surrendering 14.1 points per game. Fresno State also finished the 2018 campaign ranked in the Top 10 in the FBS in red zone defense (1st), scoring defense (3rd), passes intercepted (4th), passing efficiency defense (5th) and turnover margin (9th). Individually, Watts helped mentor linebacker Jeff Allison as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.
Prior to Fresno State, Watts spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator at UC Davis with a focus on the defensive backs unit.
His first season overseeing the UC Davis defense in 2013 resulted in four of his players earning postseason recognition from the Big Sky Conference. Two more were recognized the next season and five more earned honors from the conference in 2016.
Defensive lineman Nick King was a second team pick after amassing eight sacks, cornerback Jonathan Perkins had four pass breakups on his way to third-team accolades, linebacker Steven Pitts earned honorable mention after tallying 74 tackles and 11.5 TFLs, and cornerback Shamawn Wright was selected honorable mention after leading the team with nine PBUs. Pitts returned to the All-Big Sky honorable mention squad in 2014 and was joined by safety Charles Boyett.
In 2016, defensive tackle Inoke Raikadroka was named a second-team selection after compiling 24 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.0 sacks and one fumble recovery in nine games played. Defensive tackle Zak Pettit, inside linebacker Nas Anesi, cornerback Keleen Culberson and safety Zach Jones earned honorable mention recognition.
The Basking Ridge, N.J. native also holds NFL experience, helping the Denver Broncos earn the top seed in the AFC playoffs in 2012.
A three-year letterwinner at Cal, Watts led the Bears’ defense with 80 tackles as a senior in 2002. Following his senior year, he was the recipient of the team’s Joe Roth Award, given to the player that exemplifies superior courage, attitude and sportsmanship.
Watts earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of California. He is married to the former Lyndsay Graubard, and the couple has two children, Vedder and Willow.