Sparky Woods enters his sixth season as head coach of the VMI football program, and continues to make his mark throughout the program by implementing the philosophy and knowledge attained over an impressive coaching career.

No stranger to building successful programs, Woods brings a wealth of football coaching experience at the highest level to the Keydets.  His outlook and approach to the game mesh perfectly with the Institute's mission of producing outstanding individuals in society. Nowhere is this more evident than in the retention rate of recruits since he arrived on Post.

Woods became the 30th head football coach in the Institute's 117-year history on February 12, 2008, bringing 10 years of head coaching experience at the FBS (I-A) level and FCS (I-AA) level, including four years at South Carolina & five seasons at Appalachian State.

Prior to accepting the VMI position, Woods served as running backs coach at Alabama from 2003 through 2006. While in Tuscaloosa, Woods coached Tide running back Kenneth Darby to two consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and also mentored Shaud Williams, who led the SEC in rushing yardage in 2003 and was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker award. The Tide also led the SEC in rushing for three consecutive seasons (2003, 04, 05).

Woods was also head coach at South Carolina from 1989-93, and later served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Memphis (1995-96), Virginia (1997-98), and Mississippi State (1999-02). At Virginia, Woods tutored NFL QB Aaron Brooks, who finished as the school’s third all-time leading passer (5,118 yds.) and second all-time leader in passing TD’s (33). While at MSU, Woods coached MSU’s all-time passing leader, Wayne Madkin, and help establish record-setting offenses for the Bulldogs.

Woods is a 1976 graduate of Carson-Newman and began his coaching career at Tennessee later that year. In 1977, he moved to Kansas before serving one year as defensive backs coach at North Alabama. From 1979-82 he coached at Iowa State, before joining Appalachian State in 1983 as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, and running backs coach. A year later, Woods was named head coach at Appalachian State.

Read Head Coach Sparky Woods' Full Bio