Jan 5, 2016 5 min read

Ed Woods doesn’t know life without football.

Every August since 1978, like clockwork, he’s spent his time at a football camp, either preparing for the high school or college season. First as a player and then as a coach.

Woods rebuilt Beth-Center High School’s football program into a model of success, especially for a small school.

With every fall came Woods’ adjustments to fit kids’ strengths, but there was one constant: few teams were as well-coached or well-prepared as Beth-Center. A strong orator to his players, yet soft spoken and humble when discussing his program’s success, Woods’ values embody high school football in Western Pennsylvania – an emphasis on hard work and discipline. After 17 seasons and 13 consecutive playoff appearances, Woods, a 1981 Beth-Center graduate, has decided to walk away.

Woods submitted his resignation Monday.

“For me, I just felt it was time for me to pass the torch to somebody else,” Woods said. “What am I going to do now? I have no idea, to be honest with you.

“I’ve been struggling with this for a long time, but I feel so good about the staff that’s still there. A lot of those guys can definitely step in and be the head coach and it will continue to roll. If not one of those guys, then there are quite a few Beth-Center graduates coaching elsewhere – some who are retired – who can come in here and keep things rolling.”

Woods compiled a 113-55 record with the Bulldogs, including a 7-3 mark and second-place finish in the Tri-County South Conference this fall, and was 60-4 in conference play since 2008. When he was hired in January of 1999, Woods, inherited a program that had not reached the playoffs in four seasons.

The 2015 season was one of transition for Beth-Center, with a young roster centered around one running back – senior Tony Welsh.

The Bulldogs averaged 40 points per game – the third-most in Class A – and reached the playoffs, where they lost to Avonworth in the first round, 28-12.

“It’s been fun to watch him teach the kids. The emotions he carries spread off to the other coaches,” Beth-Center athletic director Barry Niemiec said. “As an athletic director, it’s been so pleasant to see. He’s without question one of the most organized coaches I’ve seen and been around.

“For us to lose him, it’s a sad day at Beth-Center, but I greatly appreciate everything he’s done for the kids, for the district and for the community.”

The B-C program has long held a reputation for physical, hard-nosed football with an emphasis on a rushing attack and Woods’ final season was no different. He has developed a number of outstanding running backs, including Welsh. The 6-0, 201-pound senior surpassed the 5,000-yard career rushing mark and was selected all-state.

Though the brand of football looked similar to the 1970s, Woods put his own stamp on the program when he was hired. Instead of a traditional T-formation offense, Woods altered his offensive system to fit the personnel. Each team centered around a stable of running backs, but how it was executed changed annually.

Woods was never complacent. Each season, he spent six-to-eight hours every Sunday watching game film of Beth-Center’s previous game and helped build the area’s youth football programs. He’s also the school’s strength coach and track coach – positions he used to help keep the football program improving.

“If you want to be a football coach, then you have to be relentless,” Woods said. “It’s a continuous grind and if you want to be good at it, then you have to be put the time in. It’s not an easy job. A lot of times it’s a thankless job, but I always wanted to give back to my community because they molded me and made me the person I am.”

Ray Huffman, a college friend and assistant coach under Woods for 13 years, called Woods’ work ethic and dedication “impeccable,” recalling Woods often staying after games to clean the locker room.

“Ed is incredibly organized,” Huffman said. “In a typical day in camp, every single minute was accounted for on the board, from waking kids up to eating to stretching to individual drills to personnel, it’s all organized and he shared it with his assistants. He did it all. There’s no one quite like him.”

Prior to being hired as head coach at his alma mater, Woods spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach on Don Bartolomucci’s staffs at Beth-Center and Brownsville, plus two seasons as an assistant at Ringgold. He played collegiately at California University under head coach Jeff Petrucci.

Beth-Center’s school board is expected to open Woods’ position at its board meeting later this month. According to Niemiec, it’s too soon to think of a potential replacement as the Bulldogs prepare for the WPIAL’s expansion to six classificaitons.

Beth-Center will play in Class AA next fall.

“I always wanted to give back to Beth-Center because I had such a great experience when I was there,” Woods said. “I still want to do whatever I can to help out whoever gets the job. I’m a Beth-Center guy; once a Bulldog always a Bulldog. I will always be there to help.”

Beth-Center is one of three area schools looking for a head football coach. Peters Township and Waynesburg are the others.