In the 1950s, with Watts as their head coach, Brigham Young University never had a losing season. Disciplined and precise, Watts' BYU teams ran an up-tempo style of offense and relentless defensive pressure. During the 1965 and 1966 seasons, Watts' "Runnin' Cougars" scored more than 100 points 21 times and at least 95 points 32 times. Watts' teaching skills were in demand at coaching clinics nationwide and internationally. He guided BYU to 8 conference titles and 11 postseason tournaments including 4 NITs and 7 NCAAs. He won the NIT championship in 1951 and 1966.

Died April 6, 2000