Kristin Watson was hired as Assistant Coach with the Islanders volleyball program in Feb. 2022. She previously served as Director of Volleyball Operations at Bowling Green.

Watson worked primarily with the defensive specialists where she helped develop two All-Conference selections from the libero position as well as an AVCA All-Region honoree in Carissa Barnes in 2022. 

In 2023, Watson  assisted with the program securing its first 20+ season since 2016 after a 22-10 record in 2023 that saw an appearance in the Southland Conference Tournament final. In her first year on the Island, Watson assisted the Islanders to a 13-5 conference record to finish second in the regular season. 

Watson was part of a BGSU program that went 21-9 overall and 16-2 in the MAC last season. The team reached the finals of the MAC Tournament.
 
Watson was responsible for coordinating all travel and food accommodations for the program and managed the coaching staff’s day-to-day schedules. She earned one of just 18 AVCA Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarships.

Prior to joining the Bowling Green staff, Watson was a graduate assistant for the Hood College volleyball team. She spent two years with the program, with responsibilities that included practice planning, recruiting, scouting, and travel and food accommodations. In addition to these duties, Watson led the program's social justice initiatives and fundraising efforts, as well as coordinating with different campus groups. She obtained a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies of Human Behavior in May 2021.

Watson also has experience in coaching, leading various club teams since 2016. She has been the head coach for the Maryland Juniors Volleyball Club 12 Elite team since 2018, guiding the club to the USAV Nationals. She has also been at the helm of the club's 13 Elite team, as well as an assistant for their 14 Elite and 15 Elite teams. The 14 Elite squad attending AAU Nationals and the 15 Elite team qualified for USAV Nationals. Additionally, Watson has spent four summers as a camp coach, mentoring players at the NVAA College Prep Camp, the UMBC Volleyball Camps, and the Gilchrist and Zainni Volleyball Camps.

Watson spent four seasons playing for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). As a libero, she was named 2016 America East Defensive Player of the Year. She also received America East first-team honors in 2016 and America East second-team honors in 2017. In 2017, Watson was named America East All-Academic Team and received the UMBC Athletics Gritty Award for Breakthrough Athlete. She was selected team captain in 2017 and 2018 and earned America East Defensive Player of the Week eight times. In 2018, Watson attended the USA Women's National Team tryouts.

While at UMBC, Watson served as the UMBC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, as well as America East SAAC Representative. She spent the spring of 2018 as an Athletic Communications Intern with UMBC. In 2019, Watson graduated from UMBC with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a minor in American Studies. She graduated with Cum Laude honors and received her Media and Communication Studies Certificate.