Before being hired at Missouri Western State earlier this fall, Watkins made his way from Brentwood, Tennessee, to Kansas City to play baseball for two seasons at Kansas City Kansas Community College from 2013-15. As a Blue Devil in 2014, Watkins went 4-0 on the mound in 2014, yielding just a 3.03 ERA.
Watkins later transferred to Bellevue University from 2015-16 and then to Park University to finish out his collegiate career. During the week of March 13, 2017, Watkins was named the American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week thanks to a four-hit, complete-game shutout. He graduated from Park in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in fitness and wellness.
Post-university, Watkins was the lead pitching coordinator for Old School Ducks Baseball. Watkins worked with the travel-ball organization and implemented private and group pitching plans, game day management and created individual strength and conditioning plans for pitchers.
While working with the Old School Ducks, Watkins joined the Royals Scout Team for the Team Kansas City 15U team. There, Watkins implemented the Royals' amateur development system, daily practice planning and installments, individual pitching plans and game day management.
To round out his time before Missouri Western, Watkins made his way back to his alma mater. Watkins was an assistant coach and pitching coordinator for Kansas City Kansas Community College from January 2022 to September 2023. With Watkins on staff for the 2022 season, the Blue Devils went 50-12 and were nationally ranked as high as No. 14. Watkins helped mentor nine pitchers who went on to transfer from the NJCAA program to the NCAA. Watkins also coordinated and implemented recruiting efforts for the future pitching staff.
