Woods returns to sidelines, hired at California

California High School has found its new head football coach, and he is a familiar name and face.
The district’s school board approved the hiring of former Beth-Center football coach Ed Woods this past week, replacing Darrin Dillow, who resigned in April.
Woods turned Beth-Center into a model of success in his 17 seasons as its coach. The Bulldogs made the playoffs 13 consecutive years and compiled a 113-55 record before he resigned in January 2016.
“When you loom back at the programs over the last 20 years, you have to look at Woods’ teams as being a model for consistent programs,” said California athletic director Chris Minerd. “We could not pass up the opportunity to bring him to California.”
Woods’ long reputation of putting together a physical, hard-nosed football team was his calling card at Beth-Center.
Prior to becoming the Bulldogs’ head coach in 1999, 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 college football at California University under head coach Jeff Petrucci.
Dillow led California to the WPIAL playoffs the last three seasons. The Trojans were 24-6 over that stretch.
“We are looking forward to watching him maintain our success of the last couple of years while having the opportunity to implement his style to build and maintain our high school, middle school and youth programs for the long term,” Minderd said.
The cupboard is not bare for Woods. California is expected to have 12 seniors, 11 returning starters and 15 returning letter winners on this year’s roster.
Ironically, Woods and the Trojans will open the 2019 season with a Week Zero game at Beth-Center Aug. 23.