Winston-Salem native, WSSU Hall of Fame–caliber quarterback, and veteran NFL coach Tory Woodbury was named the Head Football Coach at Winston-Salem State University in December of 2025. A proud Rams alumnus with more than 20 years of playing, coaching, and player-development experience across the NFL, NCAA Division I, XFL, and high school ranks, Woodbury returns home to lead the program he once starred for as a student-athlete.
Woodbury brings a national reputation for excellence in special teams coordination, athlete mentorship, and program culture-building. His professional career includes stops with the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and Jacksonville Jaguars, in addition to impactful collegiate roles at Morgan State, Howard, Norfolk State, Delaware State, and Johnson C. Smith.
He becomes the latest Rams legend to return and elevate the proud tradition of WSSU Football.
His coaching experience includes Assistant Head Coach / Special Teams Coordinator during the 2025 season at Norfolk State University, special team’s coordinator at Howard University in 2024, special teams coordinator for the St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL) in 2023, special teams coordinator in 2022 for Morgan State University, assistant special teams coach for the Los Angles Rams from 2020-2022 including winning the Superbowl during the 2022 season, scouting assistant for the Rams (2017-2020), a quarterbacks coaching intern for the Cincinnati Bengals in the spring of 2021, offensive coordinator from 2015-2017 at Johnson C. Smith University and assistant offensive coordinator/running backs coach from 2011-2014 at Delaware State University.
Before entering coaching, Woodbury enjoyed an eight-year professional playing career as a quarterback and special teams standout. He spent time with the New York Jets (NFL), New Orleans Saints (NFL), Buffalo Bills (NFL), New Orleans Voodoo (AFL) and Carolina Speed (AFL).
From 2001–2003 with the New York Jets, Woodbury played on all four special teams units and earned five Special Teams Player of the Week awards. Known for his versatility, he played quarterback, special teams, and free safety in the same game during the 2004 preseason.
Woodbury was a four-year starter for the Rams from 1997–2000, rewriting the WSSU passing record book by the end of his collegiate career. His accomplishments include:
· 4,493 passing yards (school record)
· 648 passing attempts (school record)
· 287 completions (school record)
· 2,177 single-season total offense yards (school record at the time)
· 38 career touchdown passes (2nd in program history)
· 5,527 career total offense yards (2nd in program history)
He earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from Winston-Salem State University.
