Mark Watts returns for his ninth year as an assistant football coach at Denison University.  He will coach the defensive line in 2012.  Watts, who also serves as the college's Director of Strength and Conditioning is responsible for the performance enhancement and injury prevention of 17 of the 23 varsity men and women’s sports at Denison throughout the year.  His football duties include coaching the defensive line, coordinating the punt & punt return teams, and assisting with football operations.

During his last tenure at Denison, Watts was the Defensive Coordinator and Head Strength & Conditioning Coach from August of 2002 until February of 2005.  Watts coached the secondary, linebackers and finally the safeties in those three years.  While coordinating the defense, Watts helped the Big Red improve in all but one defensive statistical category over the course of three seasons. In 2004, Denison was in the top half of the NCAC conference defensive statistics in seven out of eleven categories including 4th in total defense, 3rd in turnovers and 2nd in Pass Defense Efficiency helping the Big Red earn a 6-4 record, their best since 1991.  Watts left Denison in 2005 for The United States Military Academy where he spent 18 months as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning coach.

Before coming to Denison, Watts was the defensive line and strength and conditioning coach at Allegheny College (Pa.) in 2001. During Watts' tenure, the Gator's defense was ranked 10th nationally against the run in Division III.

Prior to Allegheny, Watts served as defensive line coach and assistant strength coach at Clarion University (Pa.) from 1998 until 2000. In 2000, Watts helped the PSAC West Champion Golden Eagles earn a conference-leading 55 sacks, while also coaching first and second team all-conference nose guards.

Clarion University is also where he earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education and his Masters in Elementary Education degree. While working on his masters, Watts managed to be on the Dean's list twice and was selected as Clarion University's 2000-2001 Outstanding Graduate Student. While at Clarion, Watts founded the Clarion Barbell Club in 1998, which in turn won the university's Community Service Award in the spring of 2001. Watts played nose guard on the Golden Eagle football team which advanced to the 1996 NCAA Division II semifinals.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Watts attended Brashear High School and earned 1990 All-Pittsburgh City League honors as a nose guard. After graduating high school in 1991, Watts served just under three years in the United States Marine Corps where he earned the rank of Lance Corporal. His unit was part of the 26th MEU and participated in operation "Deny Flight/ Provide Comfort" in Bosnia in 1993. Watts is 38 and he and his wife, Nikki, have a daughter, Claire, and reside in Reynoldsburg.