Director of Athletics Scott Noble announces the hiring of Holly Watts. Watts will take over the Western New Mexico Women's Volleyball program, after the retirement of long-time coach Jim Callender.

"Our search focused on strengthening our cultural values of Experiencing Mustang M.A.G.I.C.  These principles make up the fiber of who we are" says Scott Noble. "Holly understands these standards, and brings an impeccable history of moral character, playing and coaching experience. Her program vision fits our needs, and she brings an established recruiting base within the state of New Mexico, southern Arizona and Texas regions."

After serving six seasons as the head coach at the University of Texas- El Paso, Watts comes to Silver City bringing over 24 years of coaching experience to the table, as well as experience as a Division I student-athlete. In her first season at the helm of UTEP volleyball, she led the Miners to a 14-16 overall record. The Miners also earned the AVCA Team Academic Award in 2016-17, and 2017-18, as well as the Director's Award for their community service in 2015-16, and 2016-17.

A native of Devine, Texas, Watt's first experience with intercollegiate athletics started at the University of Texas at Austin. There Watts spent her undergrad as a member of the volleyball team from 1989-93, followed by a fifth year stint on the basketball team. She was elected the team's Most Valuable Player in 1993. The volleyball team advanced to the NCAA Championship Regional Finals three times and was a regional semifinalist twice. A two-time team captain, Watts garnered All-Southwest Conference honors and was a member of the All-South Region Team her senior year. She won a silver medal as a member of the West Team at the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1990.

Her coaching career began at the University of Texas at Arlington (1994-96). In addition to coaching at the University, Watts also founded and coached the Texas Impact Volleyball Club team. Watts moved on to Arkansas in 1996 and spent the next 12 years with the Lady Razorbacks fashioning a 272-129 mark, including 138-56 in the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas made NCAA Tournament appearances in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Lady Razorbacks were SEC Tournament champions in 1997, tournament runner-up in 2002 and 2003, and claimed nine SEC Western Division titles.

After her time with Arkansas, Watts accompanied Coach Chris Poole to Florida State in 2008, where she was a part of a staff that compiled a 130-34 record, including 80-20 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In Poole's first season, Florida State registered its first 20-win campaign (21-9) in six years. A year later, the Seminoles captured their first ACC regular season title. They were also ACC champs in 2011 and 2012. The 2009 campaign resulted in 31 victories, including a near-perfect (19-1) league mark. Florida State played in the NCAA Tournament each of Watts' last four seasons (2009-12). In addition to reaching the national semifinals in 2011, Holly Watts was named AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year.  

"Holly was instrumental in our success both in recruiting and on court performance. She is a great role model and wonderful mentor for young women. She will make an impact on the court, but more importantly; she will make an impact in the lives of the players, the campus environment and community members. Holly has played and coached at the highest level of volleyball, l and I have no doubt that she will build a team that will be respected and competitive," - Florida State Head Volleyball Coach Chris Poole.

"The selection of Holly Watts ushers in a new era for Mustang volleyball, Coach Watts brings an acumen of success that can advance our program." - Dr. Joseph Shepard, President

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to watch and facilitate growth in the Mustang volleyball team as my job is to not only prepare the team to compete well on the court, but in life." said Watts. "I know we can recruit heavily in the region, adding to the current players on the team and continue building on the great job Coach Callender has done with the program."

Watts earned her degree in Kinesiology from Texas in 1994. She and her husband, John Watts, have two sons, Jeremiah and Jared.