Minuteman fans get to hear from the man who raised new UMass quarterback Pop Watson both on the field and off it as his father and former coach, Bill Watson joins the Flagship Pod.

Bill Watson, the head football and basketball coach at Springfield Central High School, talks about his son’s initial recruiting process, the process that led Pop into the transfer portal and why UMass ultimately emerged as the right fit.

Coach Watson talks about helping his son understand the value of challenges and even failures and how those lessons should help him as he takes on the challenge of helping turn UMass around.

He offers his impressions of UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak, who he was impressed with long before his son was even in the portal. He also offers his thoughts on what UMass fans should expect from new offensive coordinator Max Warner, offering insight into Warner’s offensive approach and how Pop fits within it.

Watson talks about how his son has been active recruiting other players in the transfer portal, leaning into the role of a leader within the program before he even arrives in Amherst.

Watson also coached another one of UMass’ primary portal targets, receiver Joe Griffin. He offers a detailed evaluation of Griffin and what UMass would be getting if it were fortunate enough to land him in the portal.