Following a 2-8 season that ended with a 24-13 loss to Clark Atlanta University on Thursday, Fort Valley State announced the dismissal of Marlon Watson as head coach. The institution sent out an email to the Fort Valley State University community detailing the transition.

The email is below:

“Dear FVSU Community,

Fort Valley State University has made the decision to part ways with Head Football Coach Marlon Watson, effective immediately.

We thank Coach Watson for his service to Fort Valley State University and wish him continued success.

Within the next couple of days, the university will name an Interim Head Football Coach who will lead the program during this transition.

As the University moves forward, our commitment to the continued development and success of Wildcat Football remains strong. The well-being, academic achievement and athletic development of our student-athletes remain our highest priorities. We will work to ensure a smooth transition while providing the stability and support our student-athletes and football program need.

We appreciate the continued support of the FVSU community as we move through this transition.”

Article Continues Below

Watson was hired by Fort Valley State in February 2025, following the departure of former head coach Sean Gibbs in December 2024, to become head coach of North Carolina A&T. Prior to Watson joining Fort Valley State's football program, he served as a special teams coach at Prairie View A&M University.

In Watson's first season at the helm of the Wildcats, he finished 4-6, including close contests against the University of West Alabama, Clark Atlanta University, and Delta State. But the Wildcats struggled to start the 2026 season, losing five of their first six games despite standout performances against competitive teams such as SIAC Championship finalists Benedict College.

Significant pressure fell on Watson after the team's loss to a previously winless Lane College during homecoming and a stunning 49-0 defeat to rival Albany State in the Fountain City Classic. Now Fort Valley State looks to find a new head coach to restore the team's winning tradition.