Bethune-Cookman University announces new head football coach
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida. — Bethune-Cookman University has officially announced a new head coach to lead the football team on Monday afternoon.
Director of Athletics Reggie Theus named Raymond Woody Jr. as HBCU Head Football Coach, announcing the decision in a press release.
Woody, a B-CU graduate, will be the 16th head football coach at the university.
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“We are thrilled that Raymond Woody Jr has returned to Bethune-Cucman University to lead our legendary football program,” Theus said. “We were confident in his experience, his leadership and his ability to embrace the spirit of our founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, in this 100th year of B-CU football. We are committed to the vision of delivering a championship culture through its detailed recruitment plan for academically talented student-athletes, as well as its ongoing desire to deliver a high-level experience.”
Woody previously served as an assistant coach for many Power 5 schools, managing the football teams for the University of South Florida and Florida State University.
He was most recently an assistant head coach at Florida Atlantic University, where he led the school’s special teams and served as a recruiting coordinator.
Woody is considered the best recruiter since the seven footballers he has coached have been drafted in the NFL.
Woody’s hiring comes at a time of controversy over former NFL star and Pro Hall of Famer Ed Reid’s deal to lead the football team. Contract negotiations fell through after Reed posted a video online criticizing the poor conditions on campus.
Students at the historically black university protested the poor living conditions and the campus, arguing that Reed was focusing on a much bigger issue.
Woody graduated from BCU in 1996 and became the first BCU student-athlete to win the GTE Academic All-American, an award given to the most outstanding athletes in their program.
“It’s very clear why Coach Woody has been such an amazing success on his journey, and we look forward to his return to Daytona Beach and the start of a new era,” Theus said.
University interim president Lawrence M. Drake II said the university is thrilled to welcome Woody back to BCU.
“During the search, we emphasized the need for a leader who understands the history, traditions and values of our university, and who also has strong athletic leadership qualities,” Drake said. “Coach Woody embodies each of these qualities.”
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texasstandard.news contributed to this report.
