Overview
- Missouri State’s Board of Governors approved a five-year contract for Woods, who was formally announced on Friday.
- Woods is expected to assist SMU in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona on Jan. 2 before transitioning to Missouri State.
- The Bears finished their first FBS regular season 7–5 and, after a successful petition, played in the Xbox Bowl, falling 34–28 to Arkansas State under interim coach Nick Petrino.
- Athletics director Patrick Ransdell praised Woods as “an absolute winner” and highlighted his fit for developing talent and recruiting.
- Woods played wide receiver at Tennessee and has coached at Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas State, UAB, Missouri and SMU; Coastal Carolina hired away Missouri State assistant Ryan Beard last week.