Rodney Watson Position: Associate Head Coach Birthdate: 07/18/1960 Experience: 21st year at SIU Alma Mater: Eastern Illinois (1982)

Updated Oct. 15, 2008

Rodney Watson is the dean of Missouri Valley Conference assistant coaches -- beginning his 21st season on the Southern Illinois staff.

His energetic work behind the scenes has been essential to SIU's rise to national prominence. Whether he's on the road recruiting top prospects, preparing the scouting report and game plan for an upcoming opponent, or simply representing the program at a university function, Watson epitomizes the best of Saluki Basketball.

"Coach Watson is invaluable to our program," said head coach Chris Lowery. "He's a person I lean on when tough decisions need to be made and how to handle certain situations. You need to have somebody to bounce ideas off of to have a successful program."

Watson has been the one constant as SIU has transitioned from head coach Bruce Weber to Matt Painter to Chris Lowery. During Watson's tenure, the Salukis have won 11 Missouri Valley Conference championships and qualified for nine NCAA Tournaments and five NITs. The Salukis have compiled a 417-220 record during Watson's 20 seasons, including 15 postseason appearances.

A native of Paris, Ill., Watson began his coaching career at Coulterville High School, where he guided the school to its first regional championship. He moved to Madison, Ill. in 1984, and led that school to a regional and sectional championship, advancing all the way to the high school Elite Eight.

Watson used his success at the high school level as a springboard to the college ranks. He coached two years at Nebraska-Omaha (1986-88) before joining Rich Herrin's staff at SIU in 1988.

Watson, 48, and his wife, Carol, have four children, Ashley (17), Zach (16) and twins Olivia and Blake (12).