SAN JOSE (AP) — Mark Watson has been named head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes after serving as the interim coach since June.

Watson received a multiyear contract, the club announced Wednesday. He took over June 7, when the Earthquakes reached a mutual agreement with then-coach Frank Yallop to part ways.

The 43-year-old Watson led San Jose to an 11-5-3 record and the Earthquakes just missed the playoffs based on a tiebreaker after overcoming a disappointing start to the season. Watson had the best points-per-game average in the league after taking over at 1.89.