Missouri State University has hired Casey Woods, offensive coordinator at Southern Methodist University, as the program’s 23rd head football coach. Woods, 40, signed a five-year contract approved Friday by the university’s Board of Governors. He will be introduced at a news conference on campus in early January.
“It is the honor of my lifetime to coach the Missouri State Bears,” Woods said. “We are eager to get to work pouring into our team, staff, university and the city of Springfield.”
Woods has more than 20 years of college coaching experience and has helped teams win five league championships across four conferences. He also coached on two national championship teams, including Auburn’s 2010 BCS title squad.
Missouri State replaces Ryan Beard, who resigned last week to coach at Coastal Carolina. Offensive coordinator Nick Petrino served as interim coach during Thursday’s Xbox Bowl. Beard finished 19-16 in three seasons.
Woods played wide receiver at Tennessee from 2003-07, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees from the school. He joined SMU in 2021 and helped the Mustangs to 37 wins over four seasons. SMU is 8-4 heading into a Jan. 2 Holiday Bowl against Arizona.
Fans can follow updates at MissouriStateBears.com and on the program’s social media channels.
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