Olivia Watkins

Biography

Olivia Watkins was named an assistant coach on July 5, 2022, before being promoted to associate head coach on July 10, 2024. She enters her fourth season at Duke and will continue to coach the defense and slappers, while overseeing baserunning and the short game. In her second season with the Blue Devils, Watkins was instrumental in guiding the Blue Devils to another record-setting season in 2024. Under her leadership, the Blue Devils developed three NFCA All-Americans in Claire Davidson, Aminah Vega and Jala Wright. As a team, Duke set a program record with a 52-9 overall ledger, captured its second ACC Championship, made its third straight NCAA Super Regional appearance and advanced to the Women's College World Series for the first time in program history. With her assistance, the Blue Devils were stout on defense, holding opponents scoreless in 20-of-61 games during the 2024 campaign. The 20 shutouts ranked first in the ACC and fifth nationally. In 2023, Watkins was particularly impactful in the development of NFCA All-American D'Auna Jennings, a lefty slapper, who set single-season school records in batting average (.462) and hits (80). For their efforts, Young and her coaching staff were named the 2024 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Southeast Region Staff of the Year. Watkins comes to Durham after a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Boston College, where she worked on the defense, baserunning and slap-hitting. Under Watkins’ guidance, the Eagles sa