Defensive Staff
Jon Berlin, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinat...
- (704) 894-2371
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Recruiting Areas
Tennessee
Georgia
Jon Berlin is in his fifth season as Davidson's Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Linebackers coach.
In his second season the Wildcat defense ranked in the Top 25 nationally in several statistical categories: Total Defense (4th), Rush Defense (10th), Pass Defense (10th), Opponent First Downs Allowed (6th), and Opponent Third Down Conversions (12th). The defense ranked first in the Pioneer Football League in the following categories: Scoring Defense, Total Defense, Rush Defense and Opponent first downs. Additionally, the defensive unit was second in the PFL in Pass Defense and Sacks.
Following the 2019 season, several players from the defensive unit received postseason accolades. Defensive lineman Bryce Perry-Martin was selected to the All-Pioneer Football League First Team, while linebackers George Hatalowich and Tony Collins were selected to the All-Conference Second Team along with defensive lineman Harrison Hill. Rounding out the awards, defensive backs Dreylan Hines and Rayshawn McCall were named All-PFL Honorable Mention.
Berlin joined the Wildcat football staff after a five-year stint at Washington and Lee University where he worked with the linebackers and served as co-defensive coordinator for the final three seasons.
During his final three seasons with the Generals he helped lead the squad to a 24-10 record and a pair of ODAC titles. In Berlin’s final season the defense was 1st in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in the following categories: Scoring Defense, Total Defense, Rush Defense, Sacks and Interceptions. Linebackers under Berlin garnered four All-ODAC and two All-South Region honors, while he also coached an All-American and ODAC Defensive Player of the Year during that span.
Jon and his wife Suzanne have three children; Hannah, Jack and Will.
Berlin Year-by-Year:
2018-pr. – Davidson (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2013-17 – Washington and Lee (Linebackers, Co-Defensive Coord. 2015-17)
2008-12 – Rostburg High (Head Coach)
2002-06 – Amherst County High (Assistant Coach)
1999-01 – Monticello High (Assistant Coach)
1996-99 – Western Albemarle (Assistant Coach)
1991-95 – Albemarle High (Assistant Coach)
Steven Jackson, Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coord...
- (704) 894-2379
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- (704) 894-2379

Recruiting Areas:
Washington, D.C.
Maryland
Virginia (DC Metro)
Charlotte, NC
Promoted to Assistant Head Coach in the Summer of 2021, Steven Jackson is in his sixth season on the Davidson football staff.
In addition to his most recent promotion, Jackson serves as the Special Teams & Defensive Run Game Coordinator as well as Defensive Ends Coach.
Jackson was an integral part of Davidson's defensive prowess in 2019. The Wildcats ranked among the Top 25 in the nation defensively in several statistical categories: Total Defense (4th), Rush Defense (10th), Pass Defense (10th), Opponent First Downs Allowed (6th), and Opponent Third Down Conversions (12th).
Jackson joined the Davidson staff after a one-year stint at Washington and Lee University where he served as the defensive line coach for the Generals. Two of Jackson's defensive lineman garnered post-season awards and the unit led the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in sacks (26) and rushing yards allowed per game. In 2017 the Generals defensive ranked number one in scoring and total defense in the ODAC.
Prior to W&L, Jackson served as an assistant football coach and Foundations of Technology teacher at South Hagerstown High School in Maryland from 2012-2016. In his role as assistant coach, he served as the offensive coordinator, strength and conditioning coordinator and offensive line coach.
Jackson earned a bachelor of science in physical education and health from Shepherd University in 2012. He was a four-year starter on the offensive line and was a team captain for his senior season. He was a two-time all-conference honoree, including as a senior when he received First Team All-WVIAC, first team All-Region and All-America honors. As a junior, Jackson helped led the Rams to a conference title and the NCAA Division II Semifinals.
In high school, Jackson was an all-district, all-region and all-state honoree at Amherst County, leading the Lancers to a state championship in 2007.
Jackson and his wife, Lisa, have been married since 2012. They reside in Davidson with their two children.
JACKSON YEAR-BY-YEAR
2018-pr.: Davidson (Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Ends)
2017: Washington & Lee (Defensive Line)
2012-16: Foundations of Technology (Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line/Strength & Conditioning)
Chris Watts, Safeties Coach

Recruiting Areas:
Virginia
Ohio
Chris Watts joined the Davidson Football program in June of 2022. He will serve as the Wildcats' safeties coach.
Prior to accepting his current role, Watts put together quite the resume at Liberty High School in Bedford, Va., where he was the head coach since 2002.
Watts led the Minutemen to 138 wins, 15 playoff appearances and the 2002 Virginia State title in his first season as head coach. The former Virginia State Coach of the Year, won four Seminole District Championships, two region titles and a number of coaching accolades. Watts was an assistant under Coach Abell for two seasons at Liberty before taking the reins.
In addition to his responsibilities as Liberty's football coach, he served as the school's head wrestling coach for 11 seasons, while earning Seminole District Coach of the Year.
Off the field and prior to joining the Davidson staff, Watts was a member of the Bedford Area Resource Council, which was established to provide assistance to those impacted by poverty, illness, imprisonment, lack of education, etc. He was also a coach at the Summer Fellowship of Christian Athletes Camp, a program developer and summer camp counselor for the Boys and Girls Club of Huntington, W.Va. and a Youth Director for the Vinson Memorial Christian Church.
A native of Huntington, W.Va., Watts was a two-year defensive back for Marshall before graduating in 1987 with a Bachelor's Degree. In 2007, he received a Master's Degree in Health & PE from Emporia State University. Watts is also Nationally Certified Strength & Conditioning Trainer (BFS).
Brian Brown, Cornerbacks Coach
- (704) 894-3062
- Email
- (704) 894-3062
Recruiting Areas:
Florida (Orlando and South)
Louisiana
Bryce Perry-Martin, Assistant Defensive Line

Recruiting Areas:
Florida (Panhandle)
North Carolina (Fayetteville and Wilmington)
Bryce Perry-Martin joined the Davidson football coaching staff in June of 2022. He will serve as the program's Assistant Defensive Line Coach.
Perry-Martin returns to his alma-mater after serving as an assistant coach (defensive line) at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va.
A 2020 graduate of Davidson College and two-year team captain, Perry-Martin was a three-time all-conference honoree (1st Team - 2019, 2nd Team - 2018, HM - 2017) in addition to being named the program's Defensive MVP three consecutive seasons.
A native of Spring Lake, N.C., Perry-Martin played a major role in Davidson's jump to one of the more formidable defenses in the nation. The former standout amassed 197 career tackles, 44 tackles for loss and 15 sacks for the 'Cats.
Perry-Martin is currently working towards his Masters in Sports Administration from Arkansas State University.