It's a homecoming for the ages in Winston-Salem, and the CIAA better take notice. Tory Woodbury - WSSU alum, Super Bowl LVI champion with the Los Angeles Rams, and one of the sharpest coaching minds in the game - is coming home to restore the Rams to their rightful throne. FootballScoop confirmed that Woodbury was introduced to the team on December 4, 2025, officially taking the reins as Winston-Salem State's new head coach.
This isn't just another coaching hire. This is a statement. This is the 'Ramily' calling one of their own back to the hill to finish what generations before him started. And if you know anything about Tory Woodbury's journey, you know the man doesn't do anything halfway.
From WSSU to the Super Bowl: The Tory Woodbury Story
Woodbury didn't take the traditional path to the NFL sidelines. He played his college ball right here at Winston-Salem State, grinding through the HBCU ranks and learning the game the hard way. While he didn't make it as an NFL player, he carved out a different legacy - one built on intelligence, persistence, and an unrelenting work ethic.
After transitioning into coaching and scouting, Woodbury spent over 20 years honing his craft at multiple levels. His big break came when he joined the Los Angeles Rams organization as a scout in 2017. By 2020, he earned a promotion to assistant special teams coach, a position he held through one of the most successful runs in recent Rams history.
And then came February 13, 2022 - Super Bowl LVI. Woodbury stood on the sideline at SoFi Stadium as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20, earning him a championship ring. His contributions to the Rams' special teams unit were instrumental during that title run, and now he brings that championship pedigree back to the CIAA.
Why WSSU Needed This Hire - And Why Now
Let's be real: the Rams have been stuck in neutral lately. After a strong 2024 campaign that saw them finish 7-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play, the 2025 season was a gut punch. WSSU stumbled to a 4-6 record with a disappointing 2-5 mark in CIAA play, finishing near the bottom of the conference standings.
Meanwhile, the CIAA landscape has shifted dramatically. Virginia Union went undefeated in conference play with a 7-0 record, Johnson C. Smith posted a 6-1 mark, and Fayetteville State remained a perennial contender at 6-1. The 2025 CIAA standings made it clear: WSSU was falling behind the elite programs in the conference.
This is a program with 12 CIAA championships - tied for the most in conference history. This is a program that went to the NCAA Division II National Championship game in 2012, finishing 14-1. This is a program that won back-to-back CIAA titles in 2015 and 2016 and was named the top football program in North Carolina during that stretch.
The Rams faithful remember what championship football looks like. And they're tired of watching Virginia Union and Johnson C. Smith run the table while WSSU struggles to stay above .500.
What Woodbury Brings to the Table
This hire isn't just about nostalgia or bringing back an alum to feel good. Woodbury brings tangible, proven skills that can transform this program immediately:
- NFL-Level Expertise: Six years with one of the NFL's most innovative organizations means Woodbury has seen cutting-edge schemes, world-class training methods, and elite player development up close.
- Special Teams Mastery: Often the difference between winning and losing in tight games, special teams can be a game-changer in the CIAA. Woodbury's expertise here will be a massive advantage.
- Recruiting Credibility: A Super Bowl ring opens doors. High school players across North Carolina and beyond will take notice when a championship coach comes calling.
- HBCU Roots: Woodbury isn't some outsider trying to learn HBCU culture on the fly. He lived it. He understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with coaching at an HBCU, and he knows what it takes to win at this level.
Before joining WSSU, Woodbury also served as special teams coordinator at Norfolk State and Morgan State, gaining valuable HBCU coaching experience in the MEAC. His time at Norfolk State and Morgan State gave him a front-row seat to the competitive landscape of HBCU football in 2025.
The CIAA Arms Race Is On
Make no mistake - this hire is a direct response to the arms race happening across the CIAA. Virginia Union has been dominant, winning multiple conference titles in recent years. Johnson C. Smith has emerged as a legitimate power. Fayetteville State remains a perennial threat. And Bowie State, despite a down 2025 season, has the resources and history to bounce back quickly.
WSSU needed a coach who could compete with the best minds in the conference, recruit at an elite level, and restore the swagger that once made Bowman Gray Stadium one of the toughest places to play in Division II football. Tory Woodbury checks every single box.
The CIAA better get ready. The Rams are coming back - and they're bringing a Super Bowl champion with them.
What's Next for the Rams?
Woodbury inherits a team with talent but needs direction, discipline, and a winning culture. The 2025 season showed flashes - wins over Bowie State and Livingstone, competitive losses to Virginia State and Virginia Union - but consistency was the issue. Finishing 2-5 in conference play won't cut it in a league this competitive.
Expect Woodbury to hit the recruiting trail hard, leveraging his NFL connections and WSSU ties to bring top talent to Winston-Salem. Expect a renewed emphasis on special teams, where games are often won and lost. And expect a physical, disciplined brand of football that reflects his championship pedigree.
The Rams haven't won a CIAA title since 2016. That drought ends soon - you can feel it. The 'Ramily' is energized, the coaching staff is being rebuilt, and the program has a clear vision moving forward.
The Bottom Line
Winston-Salem State didn't just hire a coach. They brought home a champion, a proven winner, and a man who understands what it means to wear the Red and White. Tory Woodbury's journey from WSSU to the Super Bowl and back again is the kind of story that makes HBCU football special.
The CIAA has been put on notice. The Rams are back. And they're hungry.
Welcome home, Coach Woodbury. Now let's get to work.
