Miles College has promoted head men’s basketball coach Fred Watson to the role of Interim Director of Athletics. He takes over for Reginald Ruffin, who departed for Tuskegee where he will become the AD/head football coach. Watson will still coach while assuming the AD role

“Coach Watson has led the Miles college basketball team through multiple winning seasons with his hard work, dedication and successful recruiting efforts,” said Bobbie Knight, Miles College President. “I am confident that Coach Watson will continue to lead the Miles College athletic program with the same standard of excellence throughout this transition.”

“I am extremely grateful to President Knight and the Board of Trustees for this incredible opportunity and their trust in me” said Watson. The commitment to the comprehensive pursuit of academic excellence and unwavering support of athletics is what brought me to Miles College. I look forward to building on the amazing things that are taking place at the college and within the athletic department under the leadership of President Knight.”

Watson is in his third season at Miles where in two seasons, he has produced the highest winning percentage in school history (45-13, .776). Prior to his time at Miles, Watson spent 16 seasons as coach at his alma mater, Benedict College, where he led the Tigers to a 320-150 (.681) mark, and finished with a winning record for the final 15 seasons of his tenure.