Missouri State is making a bold move as it enters its second season at the FBS level, tapping into a deep well of experience and offensive acumen by selecting Casey Woods as its next head coach. According to reports, Woods is set to sign a five-year deal, pending board approval on Friday. This marks his first head coaching opportunity - and it comes at a pivotal moment for a program looking to establish its identity on college football’s biggest stage.
Woods is no stranger to the grind of high-level football. A former Tennessee wide receiver from 2003 to 2007, he suited up in 41 games, pulling double duty as both a pass-catcher and holder.
During that stretch, the Vols compiled a 44-20 record and notched three 10-win seasons under longtime head coach Phillip Fulmer - a golden era that still resonates with Tennessee fans. Woods was part of a culture built on discipline and physicality, and it’s clear he’s carried those values into his coaching career.
His coaching journey began right where it all started - Knoxville. In 2008, Woods served as a graduate assistant working with wide receivers during what turned out to be Fulmer’s final season at the helm.
From there, he took a key developmental step at Auburn from 2009 to 2011, working as an offensive quality control coach. It was a behind-the-scenes role, but one that gave him a front-row seat to the inner workings of a championship-caliber program.
Woods got his first crack at leading a position group in 2012 at Arkansas State, where he coached wide receivers and served as the recruiting coordinator. That dual role - coaching and recruiting - became a recurring theme in his career, showcasing his ability to both develop talent and bring it in.
He returned to Auburn from 2013 to 2015, this time as the director of player personnel under Gus Malzahn. That stint gave him a broader view of roster construction and talent evaluation, skills that are essential for any head coach trying to build a sustainable program.
After a brief hiatus from coaching, Woods rejoined the college football ranks in 2017 at UAB, where he wore multiple hats - run game coordinator, tight ends coach, and recruiting coordinator. He stayed with the Blazers through 2019, playing a key role in the program’s resurgence.
In 2020, he linked up with Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri, taking on tight ends and recruiting duties once again. His offensive mind and recruiting chops continued to shine, and in 2022, he made another leap - this time to SMU, where he joined Rhett Lashlee’s staff as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
That move paid off in a big way. Under Woods’ guidance, SMU’s offense took off, and the Mustangs punched a ticket to the College Football Playoff in 2024 - a landmark achievement that put Woods firmly on the radar as a rising star in the coaching world.
Now, he brings that résumé - a blend of SEC roots, recruiting savvy, and offensive innovation - to Missouri State. For a program looking to make waves in the FBS, this hire signals ambition.
Woods has seen winning up close at multiple stops, and he’s helped build it from the ground up. The Bears are betting that he can do the same in Springfield.