Stinger Coach Bio

Softball

Heber Watson - Head Coach

As the eighth year begins on January 10, 2013, Coach Heber Watson remains confident about
the strength of the softball program at Florence Darlington Tech (FDTC).  Over the past seven years, Coach Watson’s Lady Stingers have achieved winning records every year posting a winning percentage of .648 with 203 wins and 111 losses.  He and his assistance coaches captured NJCAA Region X Coaches of the Year in 2007 and received national recognition with the NJCAA in 2010, 2011, and 2012 for top team and individual batting averages.  Under Coach Watson’s tutelage, his teams have posted 25+ wins each season.      

During the 2012 softball season, Watson’s team experienced a solid run for the region championship,  while compiling a 28 win and 19 loss record.  The team finished third in the region
with an overall winning percentage of .595 for the year.  Tech produced its first NJCAA Region X Region Player of the Year with a .497 batting average posted in the NJCAA top 50 nationally.     

The 2011 campaign resulted in Coach Watson’s most challenging year with a 28 wins and 22 losses.  The Lady Stingers performance landed in the fourth position, while three of the Lady Stingers were recognized nationally as #12, #38, in batting averages and # 36, in home runs, with the NJCAA.

Watson’s Lady Stingers completed the 2010 year with new high marks.  The Stingers finished with a 14 (W) and 6 (L) NJCAA Region X Regular Season record (.700 winning percentage in regular season- program best) with 26 (W) and 15 (L) overall record for the year.  Watson’s third place team was recognized during the year by the NJCAA as the 13th Best Hitting Team Percentage with a .354 team average. 

During the 2009 campaign (26-W / 13-L), Coach Watson lead his Lady Stingers to a third place finish in NJCAA Region X Regular Season and Region X Tournament. Tech’s group posted a winning percentage of .500 for the season. 

In 2008, Watson’s Tech Stingers set a school record with 32 (W) and 13 (L), notching an overall   .711 winning percentage (season best).  The squad finished third in NJCAA Region X Regular Season capping two consecutive 30+ wins seasons. 

The 2007 Lady Stingers finished third in the region and placed fourth in the tournament.  Coach Watson and Coach Amber Harvey received the NJCAA Region X Coaches of the Year Award, while posting a 31 (W) and 15 (L) record.

Watson’s collegiate coaching career began at Florence Darlington Tech in 2006 and established the program as a top contender.  He had previously organized the first girls’ softball association in his community and went on to coach travel ball for twenty five years winning several state championships and garnishing a #1 national ranking with the National Softball Association (NSA) in 1984. 

Coach Watson’s leadership has produced one NJCAA Region Player of the Year, fourteen  NJCAA Region X – 1st Team, four  NJCAA Region X- 2nd Team, ten  NJCAA Region X- All Tournament,   four NJCAA Region X- All Region Academic Team members, and one NJCAA Academic All- American.  Many of these talented athletes were promoted to senior institutions through his recommendations.