Beloved former Nebraska assistant softball coach Mark Watt dead after cancer battle

Former Lincoln Southwest softball coach and volunteer assistant at Nebraska Mark Watt has passed away following his battle with cancer.

A beloved softball coach in Nebraska, Watt coached Lincoln Southwest from 2002 to 2021. He also spent eight seasons as a varsity assistant and JV coach for the Southwest baseball team. Watt would later go on to be a volunteer assistant with the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska softball coach Rhonda Revelle reacted to Mark Watt’s passing on social media.

“Coach Mark Watt: passed away yesterday,” Revelle wrote. “A legendary coach, master teacher, incredible mentor & role model, true friend, loyal & loving father and husband. The world is a better place because of YOU. You are loved deeply by the Red Team. We will carry your spirit w/us.”

A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, he attended the University of Michigan before going on to earn a master’s degree from Springfield College.

Over his long coaching career at Lincoln Southwest, Watt found more than a little success as a head coach. He has 579 wins as a coach and guided his teams to four Class A state championships, with the latest title coming in 2021. Furthermore, he guided his teams to six top-ten national rankings for team GPA since 2012. Watt also mentored multiple athletes to NFCA All-Region honors. The Lincoln Southwest softball team also recently shared their condolences on social media.

“Just 4 weeks ago Coach Watt helped us celebrate our District Championship. Tonight he lost his battle with cancer. LSW softball sends our sympathies and prayers to his family,” the school posted.

Incredibly well respected, Mark Watt has been honored with the Ralph Beechner Coach of the Year from the KFOR Sportscasters Club.

Prior to his time with Lincoln Southwest, Watt spent time as the head softball coach at Lincoln Southeast from 1996 to 2002. There, he led Lincoln Southeast to a runner-up finish.

Watt is survived by his wife, Ann, and their two daughters, Lindsay and Kelsey. No details are currently available for his services.