Head Coach Darryl Watkins just completed his fourth season in charge of the RVC women’s basketball program in 2023-24.
In Watkins first four seasons with the Rock Valley, the Golden Eagles have posted a 105-29 overall record, going 23-1 in the North Central Community College Conference. RVC made the Physical Education Center (The Nest) one of the toughest places to play in the Region IV with a 61-8 record on their home floor over the past four seasons. In 2022-23 in the Golden Eagles first season as a NJCAA DII program Watkins helped guide Rock Valley to a 25-7 season and finished the year as the 9th ranked team in the DII women's basketball national poll.
Watkins and the Golden Eagles followed up the 2023 campaign with a historic 2023-24 season. During the year Rock Valley would complete the first undefeated regular season in program history at 30-0. The Golden Eagles would go on to win the NJCAA Region 4 DII District B Championship advancing to the NJCAA DII Women’s Basketball National tournament for the first time in program history. Rock Valley would make an appearance in the elite eight game before losing to the future 3rd place finisher Mesa Thunderbirds.
Rock Valley would complete the year going 34-0 and continued to be leaders in pretty much every statistical category in the nation. Rock Valley College’s fast-paced offense eclipsed 100 points scored in a game 6 times in the 2023-24 season alone. RVC has scored 80-or-more points 68 times over the last four seasons. The Golden Eagles set a few records this past season as well with most wins in a season (34), highest win percentage in program history (.944), most points scored in a single game (137) vs Kishwaukee College, and largest margin of victory (100 points) vs Kishwaukee College.
The Golden Eagles have scored a total of 10,819 points, recorded 6,433 rebounds, 2,444 assist and 1,789 steals over the last four seasons. Rock Valley is averaging 2,704 points, 1,608 rebounds, 611 assist, and 447 steals a season under Watkins.
In four head coaching seasons Watkins has now coached three NJCAA DIII All-Americans, Hannah Malcomson (1st Team), Camron Blank (1st Team) and Ashanti Brown (2nd Team). Two WBCA All-America Players Maya Mitchell (Honorable Mention), Mia Moore (Honorable Mention). Three NJCAA Top 40 Rising Sophomore All-Stars Hannah Malcomson, Camron Blank, and Maya Mitchell.
In the team’s postseason run, the Golden Eagles have captured three NJCAA Region 4 Championships, a NJCAA Great Lakes District Championship, a Midwest B District Championship and three NJCAA National Tournament appearances two at the division 3 level and one at the division 2 level. At those National tournament the Golden Eagles have a 3rd place finish in 2020 and an elite eight appearance in 2024.
Watkins has brought home a few individual honors in his first four seasons as well. Being named the N4C Conference Coach of the Year (2x), NJCAA Region 4 Coach of the Year (2x DIII) (1x DII), NJCAA DIII Great Lakes District Coach of the Year (2020), Midwest District B Coach of the Year(2024), Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Women’s College Coach of the Year (3x), WHOOPDIRT National Junior College Coach of the Week (2x), as well as being named as one of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Associations top Junior College Coaches.
Watkins spent five years as an Assistant Women's Basketball Coach for the Golden Eagles under legendary Coach Misty Opat. In five years, he was an integral part of the 2013, 2015 and 2017 National Championship teams and the 2014 National Runner-Up. He was heavily involved in the program's recruiting, player development, strength and conditioning, and game preparation. RVC was an impressive 143-25 over those five seasons. During this time Watkins was involved with the development of seven NJCAA All- Americans. Revonnia Howard (13), Keshawnee Alley (13), Marquiesha Grant (14), Samantha Rundblade (15), Briana Davis (16), Jaycee Cleaver (17), and Tierra McGowan (17).
"We are thrilled to welcome back Darryl Watkins to our staff here at RVC," said Athletic Director Darin Monroe. "Darryl has a genuine passion for Rock Valley, the city of Rockford, and the Women's Basketball scene in the Rockford area. He has been mentored by one of the best in Hall of Famer Misty Opat and understands what it takes to be successful. He was an obvious choice to continue to build the brand that is RVC Women's Basketball."
Watkins also spent two years as the Head Girls Basketball Coach and Student Athletic Coordinator at Auburn High School in Rockford, Illinois. In two seasons, Watkins saw huge improvements of his team after taking over a program that went 6-23 the year before his arrival, to 13-17 in his first year and 15-15 in his 2nd and final year with Auburn. Watkins started the school's first official feeder system in "The Future Lady Knights" for Auburn High School for 3rd through 7th graders.
Watkins is also a 17u Head Coach for the AAU Midwest Wildcats basketball program. The Midwest Wildcats are grassroots team. Watkins has assisted in the recruitment of numerous players who have all went on to sign at the NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA and Junior Colleges levels.
A Rockford native, Watkins graduated from hometown Auburn High School in 2007, and from Rock Valley College with his AA in 2009. He has also received his bachelor's from Rockford University in Physical Education in 2012, as well as his master's in Sports Administration from Chadron State College (NE) in 2016.
