The first thing Ed Watson did in 1993 when he was hired as Naperville Central’s girls soccer coach was look at the program’s records against other teams.
“The one that stood out to me was how lopsided our record was against Naperville North,” Watson said. “We were 1-21-1 up until that point.”
Watson equated a win over Naperville North to the Chicago Bears beating the Green Bay Packers.
“I needed to instill in our players that we should beat the Huskies,” Watson said. “You have to beat the team that is standing in your way in terms of everything that you’re looking for — conference titles, regional titles, sectional titles.
“We’ve certainly wanted to do more than just beat them, but that (record) had to be changed.”
It was. Under Watson, the Redhawks are 22-19-13 against North, despite not having beaten the Huskies since 2012. The celebrated rivalry is arguably the best one in Illinois, with nearly every game decided by one goal or — as in the last meeting on April 25 — resulting in a tie.
The top-seeded Redhawks (14-2-1) and second-seeded Huskies (16-2-2) could meet again in the Class 3A Naperville Central Sectional final on May 27. It would be the latest in a long string of memorable games and the last involving Watson, who is retiring as a teacher and coach at the end of the season.
Watson could have remained as coach but declined.
“If there was a need for me to stay but there isn’t,” Watson said. “There’s many people knocking at the door wanting the position.
“My stance about coaching high school is those stipends are negotiated for the teachers. There are teachers that are capable of doing the job, so it’s time for me to step aside and give them their chance.”
Watson, who is in the IHSSCA Hall of Fame, is 455-151-81 in 30 seasons. He ranks fourth among Illinois coaches in career victories, having guided the Redhawks to 15 DuPage Valley Conference championships and 20 regional titles, with appearances in the 1994 and 1995 state championship games.
Under Watson, Naperville Central players have earned all-state recognition 26 times, with nine being all-Midwest honors. Casey Krueger, now with the Chicago Red Stars, was an All-American in 2008.
Last season, Northwestern-bound junior Megan Norkett became the latest all-state player for the Redhawks.
“Watson is an incredible coach,” Norkett said. “That’s why we’re doing so well this season. He’s a huge part of our success, and knowing it’s his last year has helped us as well.
“He always has the right things to say to encourage us. He knows which players need him to get (tough) and which players he needs to just encourage, and he does a great job of that.”
Watson cofounded the Naperville Invitational with former Naperville North coach Al Harris in 1999 and has been the tournament director ever since. The prestigious event has grown to 24 teams.
Naperville North coach Steve Goletz is one of many in the soccer community who hold Watson in high esteem.
“Ed’s done a lot for high school soccer and he’s done a lot for Naperville soccer with the invite alone,” Goletz said. “He was someone who was always so supportive of me when I came in as a young coach, so I have the utmost respect for him and Naperville Central.
Watson credits his players and longtime assistant Barry Baldwin for his success.
“The reason for my success is great players, a great coaching staff and just trying not to screw that up,” Watson said. “I don’t have the opportunity to be looking at 400-some victories if I’m not here at Naperville Central.
“The thing I have been most fortunate to have is Barry decided not to go into radio and chose the great profession of teaching. I think longevity comes with having somebody to commiserate with, and every once in a while, you have to talk them off the ledge. Most of the time, they’re there to talk you off the ledge.”
The Redhawks are legitimate contenders to win their first state title, but they also are on the precipice of the unknown due to Watson’s exit.
“He’s leaving us hanging,” Norkett said with a smile. “He’s obviously a really big part of Redhawks soccer and everything this school has put forward for this soccer program, so we’re really going to miss him.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
