Rick Watkins (2024) - North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame - University of North Texas Athletics

Rick Watkins

Induction:
2024

Watkins, the lone coach on the list, is a five-time Sun Belt Coach of the Year recipient and was the 2002 South Central Region Coach of the Year, cementing his place as one of the greatest track and field coaches in school history. He spent 20 years as a coach at UNT, with the first five as an assistant under fellow Hall of Famer Ken Garland. As a head coach, Watkins coached three Sun Belt Freshmen of the Year, nine Sun Belt Outstanding Track and Field Performers, five Sun Belt individual high-point scorers, two NCAA All-Americans, two Academic All-Americans, and numerous Academic All-Conference honorees. He also helped over 20 student-athletes reach the NCAA Track and Field Championships throughout his time in Denton. Seven members of his teams qualified and competed in Junior USA Championships, and another five reached the Pan American Junior Championship/ IAAF World Junior Championships.