Watts to Step Down at Season's End

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army West Point golf head coach Brian Watts announced on Monday that he would be leaving the program at the conclusion of this spring season in order to spend more time with his family in Oregon.

Former Black Knight letterwinner and current Army assistant coach LTC Chad Bagley will succeed Watts at the Army helm. Bagley also served as Army's interim head coach during the fall of 2010.

"There are no words to express the gratitude my family and I have for this amazing opportunity the past seven years! It has been an experience beyond anything I could've ever imagined," Watts said. "It will be an extremely sad day when I have to say goodbye to these young men and their families.

"It has been a privilege and honor to work with so many wonderful people including fellow coaches, alumni, staff and faculty. Their work ethic and positive attitude are key components to the developmental experience of West Point. I couldn't think of a better place for my coaching career to come to an end as it has been an honor to be the Army golf coach the past seven years."

In his years guiding the Black Knights' program, Watts led the team to two Patriot League Championships, mentored four individual conference champions, has taken both the team and two individuals to the NCAA Regional Tournament and has been named the Patriot League Coach of the Year twice. Additionally, he was named the 2015 Northeast Regional Coach of the Year.

"I want to thank Brian for all his work in leading the Army West Point golf program," Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan said. "He has served as an outstanding mentor and coach to our cadet-athletes and always represented the Military Academy with the highest level of dignity and class.

"'Wattsy' made an impact not only on the golf program but the entire athletic department. While I am saddened by his departure, both personally and professionally, I know he has laid a solid and lasting foundation which we will benefit from for years to come."

Throughout his time as head coach, Watts has led 10 golfers to All-Patriot League First Team honors and six to All-Patriot League second team honors. He has also coached four Patriot League Player of the Year recipients, two Patriot League Rookie of the Year honorees, a GCAA/PING Academic All American and eight GCAA/PING All-Region recipients.

During the 2015-16 season, Watts mentored his team to win the Patriot League Championships in record-breaking fashion including individual champion Dean Sakata who led the field by a record-breaking nine-strokes. At the NCAA Regional Tournament, Peter Kim tied for seventh and forced a playoff to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Bagley, who was a three-year letterwinner on the Army golf team and served as Army's interim head golf coach in the fall of 2010, rejoined the Army coaching staff this fall after serving as a team Officer Representative, while serving as the Director of Football Operations.

In that role, Bagley was responsible for the logistical operations for all aspects of the program. He returned for the 2015 season after already serving as the Director of Football Operations for three seasons.

Before returning to West Point in 2015, Bagley served as the G1 Chief of Plans, Exercises, and Operations in USARPAC at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, and has deployed in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom (2008) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2013). In his previous tour at West Point, Bagley served as a tactical officer and regimental executive officer after completing his master's degree in counseling and leader development from Long Island University.

"With each day, one door closes and another one opens," Corrigan stated. "To have an officer the quality of Lt. Col. Chad Bagley in our program speaks to our depth. Chad, Susie and their kids, William, Andrew and Anne exemplify an Army family and will serve as ideal role models for our cadets. Having worked with coach Watts and having served as the interim coach back in 2010 makes this the perfect fit."

A 1995 graduate of West Point, Bagley was a four-year member of the Black Knights' golf team, earning three varsity letters during his tenure in the Black, Gold and Gray. He earned All-Patriot League honors as a junior and served as the Black Knights' team captain during his final campaign. The Black Knights won the Patriot League Championships all four seasons that Bagley was a member of the squad.

During his season as the Black Knights' interim head coach, he led the team to a 6-5 victory over Navy at the Naval Academy Golf Club. The team won the Mulekicker Fall Classic at the West Point Golf Course, was second at the Service Academy Tournament and placed fourth at the Leo Keenan Invitational.

"I would like to thank Lt. Gen. Caslen and Mr. Corrigan for their trust and confidence in me to continue coach Watts' outstanding work over the last seven years, " Bagley said. "I would also like to thank coach Watts for his mentorship and guidance throughout this past season. Participating in the leader development program of these tremendous cadet-athletes and supporting USMA's mission of graduating commissioned leaders of character is an honor and a privilege; my family and I are both excited and humbled to continue to work with and for the Army golf program."

Bagley and his wife, Susie, reside at West Point with their son, Andrew, and daughter, Anne. Their oldest son, William, is currently attending the U.S. Military Academy Prep School.

Army West Point Athletics

Watts to Step Down at Season's End

Related News

Players Mentioned

Peter Kim

Dean Sakata

Related Videos