Top of the Morning, Coach Mickey Watson

As fall sports enter full swing this September, The News is thrilled to welcome new Head Varsity Soccer Coach, Mr. Abel “Mickey” Watson. With their first MIAA match against McDonogh on September 2 fast approaching, Coach Watson has been working with the team since the start of preseason in the beginning of August to prepare for a much anticipated year. A three-time captain at Loyola University, Coach Watson capped off his collegiate soccer career by winning the national championship at Syracuse as a graduate student. Along with his extensive playing experience, Coach Watson also brings a wealth of coaching experience to Gilman. Since 2017, he has served as an assistant coach at Friends School of Baltimore, an assistant coach at Episcopal Academy in Pennsylvania, and as a club coach for FC Delco in Philadelphia.

This season, Coach Watson hopes to establish a new culture within the soccer program, saying, “It’s about establishing a brotherhood within the Gilman soccer community. I want to make sure that we are supporting each other on and off the pitch.” Returning captain Bashir Abou ‘26 is excited with where Coach Watson is taking the program, telling the News, “He is already pushing for change and trying to create a different era of Gilman soccer.” Through the summer the squad trained twice a week, and now Coach Watson is busy setting up two-a-days, a visit to Villanova, team dinners, bonding opportunities, and even a book reading, all which will help to “establish a sense of unity with the Gilman soccer community.” Furthermore, Coach Watson will be joining the Upper School Academic Support team, contributing to Gilman students’ growth beyond the pitch, too.

Please join The News in welcoming Coach Watson to campus this year, and go support the soccer program by making it out to games this fall!