As Toledo has risen to consistent Mid-American Conference contender and remained there, Ross Watson has been a critical component.
He just wrapped his 10th season with the Rockets, and sources tell FootballScoop that it's going to be his last.
Watson is going to reunite with Jimmy Rogers and be a part of Rogers's inaugural Iowa State staff as a top defensive assistant.
For the past decade, Watson helped curate one of the most consistent units in the MAC -- really, in college football -- alongside Vince Kehres.
But Kehres was hired away Saturday by Syracuse coach Fran Brown to lead the Orange's offense, and longtime Toledo head coach Jason Candle has accepted the top job at UConn.
Watson, several sources told FootballScoop, then found himself with multiple options. There was a spot for him on the Syracuse staff back alongside Kehres, with whom Watson served as his co-defensive coordinator the past seasons at Toledo.
Additionally, sources shared, Watson had a top defensive assistant offer to rejoin Candle at UConn.
Instead, he's off to help the Cyclones continue the strong defense they played for years under top defensive coordinator Jon Heacock, who has joined outgoing Iowa State coach Matt Campbell at Penn State.
At Iowa State, Watson is expected to serve as the co-defensive coordinator, and he has a long track record of working specifically with the secondary.
Sources tell FootballScoop that Washington State interim head coach Jesse Bobbit is expected to rejoin Rogers with the Cyclones.
Washington State closed its season 6-6 and should be receiving a bowl bid Sunday afternoon.
More from Watson's bio at Toledo:
Ross Watson is in his 10th season as a defensive coach for the Rockets, and sixth year as co-defensive coordinator. During his term at Toledo, Watson has groomed safeties that have played an indispensable role in the team’s success.
In 2024, Watson coached senior Maxen Hook to his fourth straight season as an All-MAC selection, only the third Rocket ever to earn that distinction. Hook also earned first-team All-MAC honors for the third time and was selected tio play in the 2025 Senior Bowl. Overall, Toledo tied for the MAC lead with 13 interceptions and ranked No. 3 in the league in defensive passing efficiency (117.10)
Toledo had the third-ranked scoring defense in the MAC in 2023, allowing just 20.3 points per game, as the Rockets went 11-3 and made their second straight trip to the MAC Championship Game. The Rockets also led the league in sacks (39), defensive efficiency (110.3) and were tied for the league lead in forced fumbles (14). Hook earned first-team All-MAC honors for the second year in a row.
The Rockets ranked first in the MAC in total defense (326.1), passing yards allowed (183.0) and defensive passing efficiency (112.19) in 2022. Additionally Toledo was 10th in the nation in defensive passing efficiency, 12th in passing yards allowed and 18th in total defense. The MAC champion Rockets held nine opponents to less than 200 yards passing. In six of those games, opponents were held to less than 100 yards passing. Two safeties, Hook and junior Nate Bauer, were named first-team and second-team All-MAC, respectively.
Toledo topped the league in scoring defense (21.8) and defensive pass efficiency (118.8) in 2021, and ranked second in the MAC in total defense (349.7) and third in passing defense (198.2).
Watson was instrumental in the development of Tycen Anderson, a two-time All-MAC safety who was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Anderson earned first-team All-MAC recognition in 2021, the first Rocket safety to make first-team all-league since 2012. In addition, Hook earned third-team All-MAC honors in 2021.
Watson’s safeties group for 2020 included a pair of second-team All-MAC honorees, Anderson and Bauer. Toledo was second in the MAC in total defense (362.2) in 2020, allowing just 24.3 points per game, also leading the MAC in opponent third-down conversions (27.4%) and ranking second in rushing defense (129.2).
Watson guided safeties that played a major role in Toledo’s 2017 MAC Championship season. Sophomore Kahlil Robinson registered 67 tackles and led the team with four interceptions. Toledo’s defense held MAC opponents to 21 points or fewer in six of their seven league victories, and shut out Akron through most of three quarters in the MAC Championship Game.
In 2016, Watson helped mentor senior strong safety DeJuan Rogers to second-team All-MAC honors on his way to an invitation to the Chicago Bears’ 2017 rookie mini-camp. Rogers led the Rockets with 94 tackles and broke up six passes. Fellow senior Connery Swift also had an outstanding season, with 61 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. Toledo finished fourth in the MAC in scoring defense (25.7) en route to a 9-4 record and a berth in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Watson played cornerback at Mount Union from 2002-05, where he was a freshman during Jason Candle’s senior season with the Purple Raiders. He stayed at his alma mater to begin his coaching career, spending two seasons as a defensive backs coach under legendary head coach Larry Kehres. The Purple Raiders posted a 29-1 record in Watson’s two seasons at Mount Union, winning the 2006 Division III national championship and finishing as runner-up in 2007.