Mouth of the River

On the fields behind Oyster River High School, a new chapter for the boys’ soccer team is beginning. Danny Watson, former standout player, longtime assistant, and now head coach takes control this fall.

This brings both the familiarity of a local and the innovation of a coach deeply invested in every player’s journey. Watson’s arrival signals a shift in both style and substance for Oyster River soccer. He is known among his players for his tactical vision and his commitment to player development.

Watson blends old-school dedication with a modern, team-centered approach, allowing the team to connect with ease. When asked about his own soccer journey, Watson started by saying, “I’ve never played any other sport. It’s always been soccer. Surprisingly, I haven’t gotten bored of it. My interest and passion for the game has only increased.”

This love for soccer has been seen by all of his players and shapes the experiences that they share on the field.

Watson’s journey to coaching began close to home. Raised right on Littlehale Road in Durham, he recalls walking into school every day and walking home from practice. “I’ve been here since the beginning,” he added.

As a student-athlete he played reserve his freshman year and then went on to play varsity his following three years where he helped Oyster River claim three state titles, including an undefeated season where there were rumors of them being nationally ranked in his senior season.

Only two years after graduating, a chance invitation from former Oyster River soccer coach Charlie Crull pulled Watson onto the coaching path in 2007. Watson’s trajectory in coaching was shaped largely by Crull.

“The thought that he put into every drill to every tactic, he thought about what each team was going to bring as an opponent and how he was going to kind of counter their tactics. I thought that was such a brilliant way to run the program and so that’s what I am trying to emulate. A lot of his style,” he says, crediting Crull and his professional idol Pep Guardiola for influencing his positional, organized, and well thought out approach.

Players recognize Watson for the specifics of his methods. “Watson is a much more tactical coach. Our practices start small, do a warmup, and then hone in on this one little piece,” stated Max Scopel (’26) on what makes Watson stand out as a coach.

These refinements are echoed by Deems Brant (’26) who says, “[Watson] is more like training your skills based on what you need, not just developing you as an overall soccer player. It’s more team oriented, where everyone knows where they’re going to be.”

Rory Keegan (’29) highlighted how such precision makes new players feel included and builds confidence. “He’s trusted me and made me feel like I belong with all the seniors and upperclassmen.” Keegan also noted Watson’s ability on building relationships. “Before I went in for the first game, he was just telling me that I deserved to be there and answering all my questions.”

These small things have helped not just Keegan but other new players transition to the varsity level before they stepped foot onto the pitch. The cultural atmosphere under Watson is very focused and the team almost feels as though it’s a family.

Keilan Cox (’26) mentioned how the team responds to Watson when he’s addressing them. “Danny’s that sort of soft, confident voice. When he starts talking, everyone listens. He’s all about doing things the right way, keeping us accountable, and treating the team like a family.”

For Watson, the mission integrates personal care with planned efficiency. He believes profoundly in a balanced sports experience. “It’s one thing to supply tactics and organization to the team, but it’s a whole other thing to give a holistic sports experience, which involves some personal care, some investment in who each player is and what they like and don’t like outside of soccer, what’s going on in their lives.”

Watson then went on to say, “I aspire to make each player on the team feel seen, not just as a magnet on the tactics board, but as a person.” Watson’s philosophy extends beyond wins and losses. “I want players to know that hard work pays off. The thing you can control that will be the difference maker a lot of times is how hard you work.”

Equally, he discussed belonging. “Each person, each player is loved and cared about, and that they are not forgotten.”

Players feel this in practice. “I remember when I first got to the team I had no confidence, didn’t feel like I belonged. Danny sat me down and said, ‘You’re here for a reason. You belong here.’ That really gave me confidence,” Sammy Nunoo-Quarcoo (’28) added.

Jake Baver, a long-time presence in the Oyster River soccer program as a coach and player has also noticed the way that Watson makes players feel. “He’s got this way of making every player, whether they’re a starter or coming off the bench, feel important. That goes a long way for team culture.”

As the season unfolds, Watson remains humble about his new role. “I’m obviously not the best at it, and I’m new. It’s my first year, so I’m still figuring it out. But I feel like it’s a mission of mine to strive to give Oyster River athletes an experience in soccer that’s transforming.”

Baver believes a lot in Watson as he states, “When Danny commits to something, he’s all in. That’s what makes him such a strong leader for the program. He sets a standard that everybody else wants to match.”

As Watson puts it, “I hope players remember me as somebody who cared about them and didn’t dismiss them, whether they be captain of the team or cut from the team. I really care what happens to them. Even after the season when they’re in college and come back and visit, I want them to see me as caring.”

For Oyster River soccer, that may be the legacy that matters most. 

-Xander Ahn