The University of Akron Athletics
Football
Wattley, Marcus

Marcus Wattley
- Title:
- Defensive Ends | Academic Liaison
- Email:
- mdw6@uakron.edu
- Phone:
- (330) 972-7466
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Akron alumnus Marcus Wattley joins his alma mater as the defensive ends coach in 2018. He is also the team’s academic liaison.
Prior to joining Terry Bowden’s staff, he served as the head football coach and defensive coordinator at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron for the last two seasons.
“I am extremely excited to have Marcus Wattley join our coaching staff here at the University of Akron,” Bowden said. “He is not only an outstanding football coach but also a wonderful role model and dedicated family man. Marcus will also enhance our efforts to continue to recruit the top student-athletes in the local area.”
The MAC East champion Akron Zips feature 15 players from the City of Akron, including six players who played at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. Akron finished the 2017 season with appearances in the MAC Championship game and the Boca Raton Bowl.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to join the University of Akron football program,” Wattley said. “Over the last few years, I have watched Coach Bowden and his staff build a football program that has become very successful, and I look forward to contributing to that success. I `had the privilege of spending the last 11 years at St. Vincent-St. Mary, where I coached some amazing young men and helped build a extremely successful program. Those many years of success on the field have led me to this amazing opportunity today. I want to thank the St. Vincent- St. Mary community for its support, and the Irish will always have a special place in my heart.”
The Fighting Irish reached the state playoffs twice during Wattley’s tenure as head coach, including a trip to the Division III state semifinals in November. Wattley served as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for nine years with the Irish before becoming the head coach. He stands 17-9 overall in two seasons.
Wattley, who played defensive back for the Zips during the 2000 season under Lee Owens, earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice technology in 2006 and a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice from UA in 2012.
A native of Copley, Ohio, Wattley graduated from Copley High School where he played for coach Dan Boarman. Wattley joined the coaching ranks in 2004 at Copley-Fairlawn High School where he was the freshman defensive coordinator and varsity linebackers coach.
Wattley joined Boarman’s staff at St. Vincent-St. Mary in 2006 as the JV head coach and defensive coordinator while serving as the varsity linebackers and special teams coach. He was promoted to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2011. Wattley worked with Boarman for nine seasons before earning the head coaching position in December 2016.
Wattley, 36 (born March 1, 1982), resides in Uniontown with his wife Katie, daughter Myla (4), and son Marcus, Jr. (1).
Wattley’s Year-By-Year Coaching Experience
2004-06 Copley High School (linebackers | freshman defensive coordinator)
2007-15 St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (defensive coordinator)
2016-17 St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (head coach)
2018- Akron (defensive ends | academic liaison)
Akron alumnus Marcus Wattley joins his alma mater as the defensive ends coach in 2018. He is also the team’s academic liaison.
Prior to joining Terry Bowden’s staff, he served as the head football coach and defensive coordinator at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron for the last two seasons.
“I am extremely excited to have Marcus Wattley join our coaching staff here at the University of Akron,” Bowden said. “He is not only an outstanding football coach but also a wonderful role model and dedicated family man. Marcus will also enhance our efforts to continue to recruit the top student-athletes in the local area.”
The MAC East champion Akron Zips feature 15 players from the City of Akron, including six players who played at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. Akron finished the 2017 season with appearances in the MAC Championship game and the Boca Raton Bowl.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to join the University of Akron football program,” Wattley said. “Over the last few years, I have watched Coach Bowden and his staff build a football program that has become very successful, and I look forward to contributing to that success. I `had the privilege of spending the last 11 years at St. Vincent-St. Mary, where I coached some amazing young men and helped build a extremely successful program. Those many years of success on the field have led me to this amazing opportunity today. I want to thank the St. Vincent- St. Mary community for its support, and the Irish will always have a special place in my heart.”
The Fighting Irish reached the state playoffs twice during Wattley’s tenure as head coach, including a trip to the Division III state semifinals in November. Wattley served as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for nine years with the Irish before becoming the head coach. He stands 17-9 overall in two seasons.
Wattley, who played defensive back for the Zips during the 2000 season under Lee Owens, earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice technology in 2006 and a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice from UA in 2012.
A native of Copley, Ohio, Wattley graduated from Copley High School where he played for coach Dan Boarman. Wattley joined the coaching ranks in 2004 at Copley-Fairlawn High School where he was the freshman defensive coordinator and varsity linebackers coach.
Wattley joined Boarman’s staff at St. Vincent-St. Mary in 2006 as the JV head coach and defensive coordinator while serving as the varsity linebackers and special teams coach. He was promoted to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2011. Wattley worked with Boarman for nine seasons before earning the head coaching position in December 2016.
Wattley, 36 (born March 1, 1982), resides in Uniontown with his wife Katie, daughter Myla (4), and son Marcus, Jr. (1).
Wattley’s Year-By-Year Coaching Experience
2004-06 Copley High School (linebackers | freshman defensive coordinator)
2007-15 St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (defensive coordinator)
2016-17 St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (head coach)
2018- Akron (defensive ends | academic liaison)