June 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - Heading into his inaugural season as American University head women's basketball coach, Matt Corkery has named LaTonya Watson as an assistant coach. Watson will also assume the role of recruiting coordinator for the Eagles.

Watson spent nine years as an assistant at the University of Colorado from 1996-2005. While with the Buffaloes, Watson helped lead the team to a 152-92 overall record and five NCAA Tournament appearances, including a spot in the Elite Eight in 2002. She helped mentor 10 players who are currently playing professional basketball, including 2002 WNBA draftee, Mandy Nightingale. Off the court, Watson served as the academic liaison for Colorado. During her tenure, her team enjoyed a 92% graduation rate.

"We are very fortunate to add LaTonya to our coaching staff," commented coach Matt Corkery. "Her experience coaching NCAA Tournament teams and recruiting at the Top 25 level is invaluable. She will be a tremendous role model and teacher for our student-athletes."

Watson spent the last two years as a math instructor and head girls basketball coach at Chamblee Charter (Ga.) High School where she had a 34-18 overall record and increased the number of season victories by 17 over two seasons. Watson's squad was named the DeKalb County AAA Team of the month in January. Two of her players obtained college basketball scholarships. Watson also spent a year coaching and teaching at Meadowcreek High School and was the co-head coach of the Boulder Rockies Girls' Basketball Club in 2005.

Watson is a 1992 graduate of Eastern Michigan University where she majored in mathematics and minored in English and literature and played point guard for then-head coach Cheryl Getz from 1988-92. Watson was named to the 1989 Mid American Conference All-Freshman Team, the 1991 All-MAC honorable mention list, and was named All-MAC second team her senior year. She was also a three-time Academic All-Mid America Conference selection. Watson ranks third in assists (446) and is the tenth all-time leading scorer (1,296) in school history. She scored 36 points in one game which ranks as the second highest output for one game in EMU history.

She began her coaching career in 1992 as a graduate assistant at her alma mater. After the 1992-93 season, she coached the girls' volleyball, basketball and track teams at Dunbar Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1995 her responsibilities transferred to Dunbar's High School team where she was an assistant.