Brookhaven Academy has hired Josh Watts as their new head boys’ basketball coach for the 2014-2015 season. Watts replaces Coach Kyle Ray, who recently resigned as the boys’ basketball coach for the Cougars after one season of service.

Watts is no stranger to the Brookhaven Academy community and their strong basketball tradition. He is a former 1999 graduate of BA, whom played under his dad, the legendary Dale Watts.

Watts is excited to be Brookhaven Academy’s new boys basketball coach.

“I am excited to be returning Brookhaven Academy as the head coach,” said Watts. “BA is a very special place to me. I have many great memories as a student and as an assistant coach there.

Watts stated that his goal is to continue BA’s rich basketball tradition. That should not be a problem as basketball knowledge runs deep in the Watts family.

“I am thrill to be given the opportunity to coach boys’ basketball. My dad is also excited for me.”

After graduating BA in 1999, Watts furthered his education at Southwest Mississippi Community College on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 2001. After Southwest, Watts moved on to receive a major in coaching and sports administration and a minor in history at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2003.

Watts, 34, was hired on as a full-time basketball coach for the junior high and high school teams. He will also continue to work with his dad on the Watts’ horse ranch. Both are very well known as successful trainers of Tennessee Walking Horses at their stable in Summit.

Watts is married to his high school sweetheart, Olivia Parker, a 2000 BA graduate. They have two sons: J. Parker at 5-years-old and Jackson Dale Watts at 7-months-old.