Bio

David Watkins enters his second season as Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Daytona State College for the 2024-25 season. Watkins first season at Daytona State College was a historical one for the Men’s Basketball Program. Watkins helped Daytona State qualify for the National Tournament for the first time in 25 years with a school record 28 wins and an FCSAA Citrus Conference Championship. The Falcons had the best start in school history where they started at 17-0 and was ranked as high #2 in the country. Under his tutelage, the Falcons had four First Team All-Conference Players and a Second Team NJCAA All – American member who all later signed to Division 1 programs, Breylin Garcia (USC Upstate), Victor Panov (Drexel), Kylin Green (Utah Valley) and Josue Grullon (UT Martin, Second Team All-American).

Prior to his time at Daytona State, Watkins served as a graduate assistant with the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams for two seasons under Head Coach Mike Rhoades. During his time at VCU, Watkins helped VCU capture the 2023 Atlantic 10 Regular Season and Tournament Championship which led to the Rams' 2023 NCAA Tournament appearance. The Rams posted a 27-8 mark which was the most wins for VCU since the 2012-13 season. Previously, in the 2021-22 season he helped the Rams to the Second Round of the National Invitational Tournament. Watkins worked with Ace Baldwin Jr, A-10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Watkins was vital in the development of post players during his time at VCU, where he helped develop two all-conference Forwards in Jalen Deloach and Brandon Johns Jr. who were selected to the A-10 3rd team. 

Prior to his time at VCU, Watkins had a successful collegiate basketball career at the University of New Hampshire where he was a part of the all-time winningest team in New Hampshire history in 2016-17. He served as the captain in his final season. 

A native of Boston, MA, Watkins earned a Master’s degree in Sport Leadership in 2023 from VCU and a Bachelor's degree in Sport Studies with a minor in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire.

Watkins currently resides in Daytona Beach, Florida.