Shane Watson, ex-Australian all-rounder, has finished his tenure as head coach of the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket (MLC), having spent three years in the position.
With his resignation something that was felt necessary, it brings a to an end of a significant era of the franchise, with the Unicorns moving towards a new year-round coaching model. A detailed examination of Watson’s time with the Unicorns and what lies in the future for him as well as the team follows.
Shane Watson’s Exit from San Francisco Unicorns
Shane Watson, a highly regarded Australian all-rounder, has decided to exit the San Francisco Unicorns after serving as head coach in the Major League Cricket (MLC) for three years. The Unicorns – who are yet to announce who will replace Watson – are considering a broader shift in the future to have formats across the full year for their coaching jobs.
The franchise outlined that Watson’s increasing obligations with his performance coaching business, BEON Performance, and his regular commentary commitments made it difficult for him to continue in a full-time coaching role.
Shane Watson’s Impact on the Unicorns
With Shane Watson at the helm, San Francisco Unicorns experienced a mixed bag of performances. In the inaugural MLC season of 2023, the squad finished fifth out of a pool of six but improved a great deal each year following that under the guidance of Watson.
The Unicorns reached the playoffs in 2024 and 2025, their best season being in 2024 when they finished as the runner-up in the championship against the Freedom in Washington.
“It has been a true privilege to lead the San Francisco Unicorns over the last three seasons,” Watson said. “I’m proud of what we accomplished, and am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with world-class stars and incredible young talent in Major League Cricket, which continues to be an exciting new frontier for the sport.”
Shane Watson’s Extended Coaching Career
Shane Watson’s coaching career extends well beyond the San Francisco Unicorns. Along with his responsibilities with the Unicorns, Watson was assistant coach of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022 and 2023.
He served as the head coach for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the 2024 season, thereby further entrenching his status within the international franchise leagues – as playing and coaching experience have made him an elite entity in the global market for coaching franchise cricket.
The Future of San Francisco Unicorns and Watson’s Legacy
“Shane was the natural choice to be our first Head Coach, and he played a key role in building the Unicorns from the ground up,” Unicorns CEO David White said. “We are eternally grateful for Shane’s dedication across his three seasons in charge, and the Unicorns wish him every success in his future endeavors.”
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