WINSTON-SALEM – Winston-Salem State University has turned to one of its most decorated alumni to lead the Rams back to prominence. The school announced that Tory Woodbury, a Hall of Fame quarterback who guided WSSU to back-to-back CIAA titles in 1999 and 2000 and later earned a Super Bowl LVI ring as a coach with the Los Angeles Rams, will serve as the program’s next head football coach.
A Storied Playing Career
Woodbury’s name is etched into WSSU history. A dual-threat quarterback, he amassed more than 4,500 passing yards, 1,000 rushing yards, and 60 total touchdowns during his career. His leadership carried the Rams to consecutive CIAA championships, cementing his place among the program’s all-time greats. He was inducted into the WSSU Hall of Fame in 2008 and the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2016, honors that reflect his enduring impact on the conference and the university.
From NFL Fields to Coaching Sidelines
After college, Woodbury spent eight years as a professional player, including stints with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, and Arena Football League teams. His transition into coaching was equally dynamic. He worked at the high school level in North Carolina before moving into college coaching roles at Delaware State, Johnson C. Smith, Howard, and Norfolk State.
Woodbury’s résumé also includes NFL experience. He served as an assistant quarterbacks coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars and later joined the Los Angeles Rams as an assistant special teams coach and scout. With the Rams, he contributed to their Super Bowl LVI championship run, earning a ring as part of the coaching staff.
Restoring the Standard
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for WSSU football. The Rams have struggled to reclaim their championship form in recent seasons, finishing outside the top of the CIAA standings. Chancellor Bonita J. Brown emphasized that Woodbury’s hire is about more than nostalgia: “We are restoring the standard of excellence that WSSU football has always represented.”
A New Era at Bowman-Gray
For Woodbury, the return to Winston-Salem is both personal and professional. A hometown native, he now carries the responsibility of reviving the Rams’ storied tradition at Bowman-Gray Stadium. With his pedigree as a championship player, seasoned coach, and beloved alumnus, Woodbury’s arrival signals a new era of ambition and expectation for WSSU football.
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