Long-time varsity coach Tony Watkins accepted the girls basketball head coaching position at Grayson High School on Monday. Watkins spent this past season at Lambert and will take over a Grayson program that showed signs of growth this season with a 10-16 record after being non-competitive in previous years. Prior to his season at Lambert, Watkins led Parkivew to a 29-1 record in 2013 that ended with a 59-51 loss to eventual state champion Norcross.
Watkins has earned Region Coach of the Year nine times, South Georgia Coach of the Year twice, North Georgia Coach of the Year twice, Gwinnett County Coach of the Year twice and Metro Atlanta Coach of the Year once during his 33 years as a head coach.
On Jan. 21 of this past season, Watkins hit a milestone with his 600th career win as Lambert defeated McIntosh 56-52. Watkins’ career record as a head coach sits at 602-270.
I’m excited to be back,” Watkins told the Gwinnett Daily Post. “I really missed it (in Gwinnett County) and Grayson’s close to my house. … I met with the girls (Monday), and it went well. We’re ready to get going.”
Grayson is looking forward to seeing the type of progress Watkins can bring to the Rams. “It’s a tremendous hire for us [Grayson],” said Grayson athletics director Brian DeBerry in an interview with the Gwinnett Daily Post. “We’re looking forward to the experience and knowledge he brings to the table… we look forward to seeing where our program goes.”
Watkins’ son Tony Watkins Jr. is the head coach at Holy Innocents’ and he led the Lady Golden Bears to a 29-1 record and runner-up finish in Class A-Private this year.
GHS welcomes Tony Watkins as our new girls basketball coach.Coach Watkins teams has had tremendous success during his 33 yrs as a head coach
— Grayson HS Athletics (@GraysonHSSports) March 31, 2014
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