Jim Watson retires as tennis coach

Veteran tennis Coach Jim Watson ended his 24-year run at Tufts this spring—but not before the men’s varsity tennis team presented him with the 200th victory of his career, a 4-3 win over Boston University on April 20.

Jim Watson

Watson, who came to Tufts in 1981, coached the men’s and women’s programs until last season, when his assistant, Doug Eng, took over as the women’s coach and Watson continued as men’s coach. In 23 seasons as the women’s coach, Watson directed the team to a 169-101 record, five New England titles and four NCAA Tournament berths.

The men’s team has gained six NCAA Tournament berths under Watson since 1994. He guided the team to NCAA appearances in 1994, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Watson earned two New England Coach of the Year awards as men’s coach (1989 and 1994) and two with the women (1989 and 2000).

In his first season as head coach of the men’s team, Watson guided the Jumbos to an 8-2 record and the New England Division III championship in spring 1982. The success continued into the 1990s. The 1994 men’s tennis squad became the first team sport at Tufts to earn an NCAA Tournament berth after the New England Small College Athletic Conference lifted its ban on NCAA post-season competition in 1993. That team finished with a 14-3 record.

Born in Costa Rica, Watson coached at Missouri and Drake prior to coming to Tufts. He is a 1962 graduate of Pan American University.