For years, Roseburg was a powerhouse in Oregon high school football, winning five big-school state championships.
But it's been almost 30 years since the last title in 1996. The Indians have struggled in the past decade, recording one winning season since 2013.
This season marks a good chance for Roseburg to change course. The Indians have met the criteria to drop from 6A to 5A, where they will play in the tough Midwestern League. And they are transitioning to a new coach in Matt Watson, who was promoted from assistant to replace Dave Heuberger.
Watson is Roseburg's third coach in 53 years, following legendary Thurman Bell (1971-2015, four state titles) and Heuberger (2016-23). A member of the staff since 2017, Watson hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the program.
“I know there's been some disappointment in the past,” Watson said. “Our community loves football and has such a rich history of football, that it doesn't matter what happened the previous season, there's always really high expectations. We're going to hold our kids at a really high standard to exceed those expectations.”
Roseburg, which went 0-8 and 2-7 the last two seasons, will have its hands full in a district that features Thurston, Crater, Eagle Point and Springfield – all 5A playoff teams in 2023.
“It's not anything that we're taking lightly,” Watson said. “We know we're getting everybody's best shot. Everybody's going to step up their game for that 6A school.
“It's not like we're stepping down to 5A. The competition is incredible. The coaches in this conference are pros, and they've been in this game a long time. They've found a lot of success.”
Watson played quarterback in high school at North Bend, where he graduated in 2007. He was a volunteer assistant at North Bend in 2009, and after graduating from college at Texas Tech, he assisted for three seasons in Rock Springs, Wyo., assisting the offensive coordinator.
Watson said the seeds of his coaching career were planted as a senior in high school, when he broke his shoulder blade and contributed from the sideline. During his three seasons at Rock Springs, he learned that coaching was “my path, my purpose in life.” He also has assisted in lacrosse at Roseburg.
He and his wife Kristen, a Roseburg graduate, moved to Roseburg in 2017. Married 11 years, they have daughters ages 5 and 3.
On the football staff, Watson has served as the receivers coach. He took over as offensive coordinator late last season when Heuberger and the team parted ways.
Watson will call the plays as offensive coordinator this season. He wouldn't elaborate on the style of offense he favors, but said the Indians are physical and fast.
“We believe that we've built something that allows our kids to use their strength and their speed and toughness to really excel,” Watson said. “There's a lot of talent.”
Late last month, Watson took the team to a football camp at North Bend, where he reconnected with some of his former coaches.
“It was great for me to be around the men who had been such an important part of my life,” Watson said. “They run a phenomenal camp. Our kids are so much better for it. It helped our team come together, helped us find some voice and leadership and a foundation for this rebuilding we're working through.
“It was an awesome opportunity for our kids to go to that camp because they had never been to a football camp before.”
Watson, who teaches government at Roseburg, said he has made it a priority to work with other coaches at the school to encourage multi-sport participation. Roseburg has a dominant wrestling program, winning 12 state championships, 11 since 2007.
Watson said he is encouraged by a turnout of 105 players in preseason camp.
“It's exciting to have that many people out,” he said. “These guys are really starting to gel together. They're really starting to believe in each other and encourage each other. As a coach, it's really fun to watch.”
jerryu@osaa.org
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