COLUMBIA, SC- Benedict College announced the hiring of James Woody as interim head football coach on Monday.

Woody brings more than 25 years experience as one of the nation's top offensive coordinators to the Tigers, who dropped to 1-3 after 40-23 televised loss to Fort Valley State on Thursday night. The Tigers travel to Augusta, Ga., this Saturday to face Miles College in the annual Augusta City Classic.

“I'm really looking forward to get going,” Woody said at a late-morning press conference at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. “My first priority here is to make sure we put a team on the field that can be competitive - competitive week in and week out.”

Woody takes over for Stanley Conner, who went 21-27 in four full seasons, plus the first four games this season.

“We are very appreciative of the work of Coach Conner,” said Willie Washington, Benedict College Director of Athletics. “But as life has it, changes take place, and this is one of those changes that occurred here at Benedict College.”

This will be Woody's first head coaching position.

As an offensive coordinator at Tuskegee University and Jackson State University, Woody was instrumental in developing high-powered, high-scoring offenses. He said his coaching philosophy is simple – to play hard and play smart.

“We are going to work hard, play fast, be aggressive, play good special teams and be sound football here,” said Woody, who met with the team and ran them through an early-morning practice on Monday.

He also plans to increase the level of recruiting in the state of South Carolina.

“That is important to me – take care of home first, then branch out. There is great football here in the state of South Carolina,” Woody said.

Under Woody's leadership the Jackson State Tigers were highly ranked in Southwestern Athletic Conference statistical categories. In 2008 the Tigers were ranked second in the conference in red zone offense (32-41), third in time of possession (30:57 avg.) and fourth in rushing offense (142.2 yards/game).

In 2007 the Tigers were second in scoring offense, passing offense and pass efficiency and led the SWAC in time of possession. The Tigers were also third rushing offense, total offense and red zone offense.

In 2006 Woody's offense was ranked No. 1 in scoring offense and No. 2 in total offense in the SWAC.

Under Woody, Jackson State quarterback Jimmy Oliver was named offensive MVP of the SWAC Championship game in 2007 and wide receiver Jaymar Johnson was drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 draft by Minnesota.

Woody came to JSU from Tuskegee University, where he served as offensive coordinator under head coach Rick Comegy. The Golden Tigers led the SIAC in scoring offense with a 30.5 scoring average in 2000. The 2000 team captured the SIAC and HBCU National Championship with a 12-0 record. In 2004, Tuskegee's offense led the SIAC in passing (244.4 yards per game), passing percentage (57.3) and passing efficiency. The Golden Tigers averaged 388.8 yards per game and 35.4 points per game, finishing second in both categories in the SIAC in 2004.

In 2005 his Tuskegee offensive unit led the SIAC in scoring offense, pass offense, third down conversions, fourth down conversions, red zone offense and total offense. The Golden Tigers averaged 408.5 yards and 30.8 points per game and outscored their opponents 370-193. He was also Comegy's offensive coordinator at Central State University in Wilberforce, OH before joining the Tuskegee coaching staff in March of 1996. Woody served as Central State's quarterback and running backs coach from 1986 to 1994 and offensive coordinator (coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers) from 1994-95. He was the NAIA Rawlings Offensive Coordinator of the Year in 1995.

Teams with Woody on the coaching staff have won six Black College National Championships, five at Central State University and one at Tuskegee. His teams won seven conference or division titles. His 1995 Central State team led the nation in total offense and points per game.

As a student-athlete Woody, a four-year starter, earned All-American honors as a quarterback for the NCAA/NAIA in 1983 and a Black College All-American in 1983 and 1984. He was selected as his team's most valuable player in 1984, the 100% Wrong Club Independent Player of the Year in 1983 and was drafted by the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos in 1985. Woody was the most valuable player versus North Alabama in the 1983 NCAA Division II semifinal playoffs. He led the nation in touchdown passes in all NCAA divisions (36) in 1983. In 1995, under Woody's offensive guidance, the Marauders of Central State University led the nation (NAIA) in total offense (493 yards per game) and scoring (39.6 points per game) en route to the NAIA national championship.

He was inducted into the Central State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. He is a member of the Black College Coaches Association and American Football Coaches Association.

Woody earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management from Central State University in 1986. The Washington, D.C. native is married to the former Dionne Jones of Columbus, Miss., a Jackson State University graduate. The two are the proud parents of Ciera Capri, James R., II and Jarvis Ryan-Henry.

Woody and his family are members of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, Miss.