A Sudden Exit
The college announced this week that Lorenzo Watkins, who has led the men’s basketball program for the past six seasons, has officially stepped down from his role as head coach.
Watkins’ departure comes after a season that ended with a 17‑13 record, a performance that added to a career tally of 195 wins and 72 losses across his time at the institution.
Career Path
His journey to the top of the program began in 2008 when he joined the staff as an assistant, a role he held while the college was still building its competitive foundation.
He was promoted to head coach in 2017, and over the ensuing years he guided the team through multiple conference campaigns, culminating in a standout 2023‑24 season that saw the squad finish with a 17‑13 overall record.
Before arriving in Iowa, Watkins honed his craft at several other programs, serving as an assistant at South Carolina State, Campbell University, and the University of New Orleans, and later heading the men’s team at Indian Hills Community College for four seasons.
The upcoming official announcement is expected to shed light on the reasons behind his resignation and to outline any prospective opportunities that may await the coach in the near future.