Colin Watts was a youth team player with Norwich who managed Poringland Wanderers Youth, Norwich Union and the Norfolk County youth side before joining the Canaries in July 1991 on a part-time basis. he was brought into the club by Gordon Bennett. In October 1993, he became full-time assisting the club's Head of Youth Development Gordon Bennett. He took over this role in March 1996 when Bennett became chief executive.

Over the years, he has coached at a variety of levels and has many players progress to the first team include Craig Bellamy, Ryan Jarvis, Robert Green, Chris Martin and Jason Shackell.

In December 2013, it was announced that Colin would be retiring but would continue to scout for the academy.