MADISON, Wis. – Mick Byrne, the director of track and field and cross country at Wisconsin, has announced that Aaron Watson will join the Badger staff. Watson, who comes from Grand Valley State University, will work with the men's and women's middle distance and distance runners as well as assisting with the cross country programs.
 
"I'm excited to welcome Aaron to our staff," Byrne said. "Aaron has a record of success in recruiting and coaching at GVSU. During his six-year tenure with the Lakers, he has helped raise both the men's and women's distance programs into the national powerhouse it and has become. During the hiring process, I was impressed by Aaron's passion to elevate the lives of his student athletes both on and off the track."
 
In his six seasons with the Lakers, Watson assisted GVSU to six NCAA DII national championships—women's cross country in 2014, 2016 and 2018; women's indoor track and field in 2021; men's cross country in 2018; and men's outdoor track and field in 2021.
 
He also coached 10 individuals and one relay to national championships. Grand Valley State was named the USTFCCCA Program of the Year for women twice and for men twice.  
 
For the GVSU men, Zach Panning won outdoor titles in the 5,000 meters in 2018 and 2019, and the 10,000 meters in 2019. Isaac Harding is the reigning NCAA DII champion at 5,000 meters.
 
Among Laker women, Kendra Foley won the 2014 and 2016 NCAA cross country titles while also winning the outdoor 10,000 meters in 2017. Amy Cymerman claimed the indoor 5,000 meters in 2015 and the outdoor 10,000 meters in 2015. Sarah Berger earned the 2018 cross country championship. In addition, the 2021 indoor distance medley relay of Hannah Becker, Taryn Chapko, Jessica Eby, and Allie Ludge captured a national championship. 
 
Academically, the Lakers were named the NCAA Scholar Team of the Year for women nine times and for men four times during Watson's time.
 
Watson came to Grand Valley State after one year as the assistant coach of cross country and track and field at Temple University, where he organized all aspects of the student-athlete development, including the creation of training plans, supervision of workouts. Watson also helped five Temple runners set school records in men's and women's cross country and track and field.
 
"My family and I are elated to be joining the Wisconsin cross country and track and field programs," said Watson. "The opportunity to combine academics and athletics at the highest level in a community like Madison is certainly exciting.   
 
"Coach Byrne is a legend of the sport whose resume speaks for itself.  The chance to work with him and the entire staff is a humbling opportunity.  Wisconsin's history of Big Ten championships as well as NCAA championships and podium finishes is rare and special.  I look forward to contributing to that legacy."
 
Prior to coaching for Temple, Watson was a volunteer assistant coach for the Grand Valley State cross country and track and field programs from 2010-13. He is a USA Track & Field Level Certified coach.
 
Watson graduated from Grand Valley State in 2012 with a degree in sports management. He and his wife Betty have one child, Everett (1).