On3’s Talia Goodman is showcasing women’s college basketball coaches taking over at new schools. This is the third edition of year two of the series – in which we’ll take a deeper look at some of the 60-plus coaches who took over new programs during a turbulent offseason. This time we learn more about Jermaine […]
On3’s Talia Goodmanis showcasing women’s college basketball coaches taking over at new schools. This is the third edition of year two of the series – in which we’ll take a deeper look at some of the 60-plus coaches who took over new programs during a turbulent offseason. This time we learn more about Jermaine Woods, the new head coach at Norfolk State.
Jermaine Woods bio
BORN: Norfolk, VA
EXPERIENCE: Virginia Tech (2013-15), Old Dominion (2015-17), Wake Forest (2017-20), Coppin State (2022-25)
PLAYED: Belmont Abbey, Christopher Newport
Why Norfolk State?
For Jermaine Woods, becoming the head coach at Norfolk State was about more than just basketball. It was about coming home.
“It’s full circle for me,” Woods told Rivals. “I will admit it was tough leaving Coppin because of the relationships I built with the administration [and people there], but when you sit back and think about it, it’s just home. This is, to me, the best job in the conference, and I’m from Norfolk. My wife’s from Norfolk. I told her about it and she’s like, ‘What are we even talking about? Let’s go home.’”
The move also enabled Woods to raise his children close to their extended family.
“It’s a chance for both of us to get back home and be with our family and for our kids to be with their grandparents and cousins,” Woods said. “No place like home, right?”
Jermaine Woods’ coaching style, mindset
Since his arrival, Woods has been heavily supported by athletic director Melody Webb.
“Dr. Webb has been phenomenal. I knock on wood — she hasn’t really said no yet,” Woods said with a laugh. “She’s allowed me to recruit how I wanted to recruit… Everything I’ve asked for, we got.”
Whether it be new uniforms, practice gear or staff support, Woods has felt the investment in women’s basketball from the administration.
“Just little stuff that matters to the young women…,” Woods said. “She’s running this program not just like an HBCU program, which we love and want to be the best, but we also want to be one of the best mid-major programs in the country. That’s the direction we’re going.”
On the court, Woods is excited about the roster he’s built.
“We’re going to be deep,” he said. “Our depth is crazy. If we stay healthy, we’re going to play nine or ten. We return the only all-conference players in the conference I believe in Da’Brya Clark and Anjanae Richardson, and we also bring in leading scorers from their respective teams, like Jazmine Spencer from North Florida and Jasha Clinton from Hampton… Our depth is going to shock people. We’re going to play fast, we’re going to run, take a lot of shots, and pick up full court the whole game.”
Still, Woods emphasizes that his philosophy starts with the people. The culture he’s bringing to Norfolk State emphasizes three things: Being a good person, being a good student, and basketball.
“My legacy won’t be wins and losses anywhere I go — it’ll be the people I graduated and what they’re doing in the community and the real world,” Woods said.
Something you may not know about Woods
Woods’ family is central in his life and has helped him become a better person as he’s grown.
“My first son was born when I was 16, and my last son was born when I was 36,” he said. “I’ve had kids all my life. My oldest is 26 and my youngest will be eight on Sunday.”
Woods and his wife, who just celebrated 16 years of marriage this August, have four children in total.
Category: General Sports
