Johnny Watson was born and raised in Camden, Arkansas. He graduated from Camden Fairview High School and attended Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia where he played football. Johnny obtained a Bachelor's degree from
SAU & later obtained a Master's degree from University of Central Arkansas.

Barely out of college, Johnny accepted a position as assistant high school football coach in Paragould under the leadership of legendary football coach, Bi ll Keedy. Two years later Johnny moved to Jacksonville as an assistant high school coach working under the expertise of another legendary football coach, Bi ll Reed. Johnny 's first head football coaching position was at Fordyce high school where he was also the school's athletic director. This position was the beginning of 36 years of service as a high school athletic director. While in Fordyce, he worked to renovate the football stadium weight room, training room and dressing rooms.

From Fordyce, Johnny moved back to Jacksonville where he was the head football coach and athletic director for 19 years. During his time at Jacksonville, Johnny started soccer and softball programs. As well as renovating the weight, dressing & conference rooms and the football stadium at Jacksonville high school, Johnny raised money and built one of the first indoors athletic practice facilities in the state of Arkansas. Under his leadership, Jacksonville won multiple conference, state and individual state championships.

After retiring from public school, Coach Watson became the head football coach at Little Rock Christian Academy i n 2005. I n 2008, he moved to the position of Athletic Director. Among his many accomplishments, Coach Watson was instrumental in rai sing money to build a new baseball & softball complex. He started a dance team along with bowling, wrestling, and swimming programs at the school. The football stadium was renovated to include artificial tu rf and additional seating on both sides of the stadium. A state of the art indoor athletic practice facility was recently built and opened in August, 201 8. Currently, Little Rock Christian Academy is building a new basketball arena which is projected to open December, 2019. Since Coach Watson 's arrival at Little Rock Christian, the Warriors have won 70 conference/district championship, 16 state runner-ups, 26 state championships, 58 individual state championships, and 53 state academic championships.

Coach Watson has received many awards for his accomplishments throughout his years of service. Among his awards are the NFHS state award for outstanding service, the AAA activity district 5 citation award, the Curt King award, the National US Army Leadership award, and the Sertoma Mankind award. He has been conference Athletic Director of the Year 4 times, and SA State Athletic Director. Coach Watson has served many years as Conference President and is a Past President of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association. Coach Watson is a member of the Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and is a member of the 2010 class of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Johnny Watson and his wife, Marilyn, have 4 children between them-Will, Jana, Kelly & David. They have 7 grandchildren. They attend Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock where they are actively involved. When Coach Watson & Mari lyn aren 't traveling to the four comers of Arkansas supporting Little Rock Christian athletes, they enjoy traveling & cruising on their own and supporting their grandchildren with their activities.