Brian Woods '86, a former standout at Trenton State and longtime Division III head coach, joined interim head coach PJ Ringel's staff for the 2024 season.
Woods, who comes to Ewing after a stint as a volunteer assistant at Rider, boasts more than three decades of experience as a head coach at the Division III level. He coached the men's soccer program at William Paterson from 1992 to 2021, leading the Pioneers to a second-round NCAA appearance in 2010, the ECAC Metro Tournament title in 2008, and an ECAC Metro runner-up finish in 2013. William Paterson qualified for the NJAC Tournament 10 times overall during his tenure, including a run of seven straight from 2008 to 2014, and advanced to the semifinals four times.
At WPU, Woods coached one All-American, 19 all-region performers, and 63 All-NJAC players, including six who earned major all-conference awards. He finished his head coaching career with 246 wins and was honored as NJAC Coach of the Year in 2008.
Woods also started the women's soccer program at WPU, posting a 36-17-2 record from 1994-96 before his brother, Keith, took over for him in 1997. He was named NJAC Coach of the Year in 1995 and coached 11 all-conference selections during those three seasons.
Additionally, Woods was the head coach of the men's golf team at William Paterson, leading the Pioneers to a record of 27-7-1 in dual matches across 11 seasons of NCAA competition after the program was reinstated in 2010.
Woods serves as the Director of Coaching for Match Fit Academy and has been the head coach of the Real Central Jersey men's team in the USL 2 League since 2021. In his role as a USSF Academy staff coach with Match Fit Academy, he led the boys’ club teams to seven State Cup titles, three appearances in the U.S. Club Soccer National Finals (2000-07) and five USSF Academy playoff appearances (2009-13).
Woods previously served as the president of the College Soccer Association of New Jersey, coached New Jersey’s boys and girls Olympic Development Programs as well as the New Jersey Lady Stallions, and was an evaluator for the U.S. Region I boys and girls soccer teams.
Woods was a two-time All-NJAC selection at Trenton State, where he also played football, before graduating with a bachelor's degree in corporate fitness. He coached at his alma mater until 1992, when he left to take over the men's soccer program at William Paterson.
