FAMU hires Alex Wood as new head football coach

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M announced the hiring of Alex Wood as its 17th head football coach on Tuesday during a 3 p.m. news conference at the Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse. 

Wood has more than 35 years of coaching experience at the high school, collegiate and professional levels

Prior to accepting the top job at FAMU, Wood served as offensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo (UB) from 2011-14. This past October, he was tapped to serve as interim head coach replacing head Jeff Quinn, who was relieved of his duties, for the final four games (2-2).

Wood is credited with directing a prolific offense at Buffalo, which averaged over 400 yards and 30 points per game during his four-year stint. In 2014, the team finished fourth in total offense and third in scoring offense in the Mid-American Conference, and in 2012 became the first Division I FBS program to amass over 2,000 yards rushing and passing in the same season.

He served as running back coach at University of Miami from 1989-93 helping the team to a pair of national championships, including a perfect 12-0 in 1991.

Wood served as head coach at James Madison University (JMU) from 1995-1998 and led them to an 8-4 record and the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs in 1995.

Wood also served as a coach in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Minnesota Vikings.

“When President (Elmira) Mangum tasked me with completing the search for a head coach with a proven record of developing a competitive program, possessing high moral and ethical character, capacity to inspire our student -athletes, and the capabilities to take the program in a new direction, one of the first persons that came to mind was Alex Wood,” said Interim AD Nelson Townsend. “The stars aligned perfectly for FAMU to get a coach of the caliber of Alex,” added Townsend.

“I am delighted to join the Rattler family,” said Wood at the news conference. After meeting with Interim AD Nelson and President Mangum, I am thoroughly convinced that working together with Board of Trustees, students, faculty, alumni, and supporters that I can build a competitive football program that will play a positive role in helping FAMU enhance its brand and achieve its mission of becoming a best-in-class academic institution.”

Commenting on the hiring of Wood, President Elmira Mangum said, “I applaud the ability of Interim AD Townsend to swiftly, yet carefully and deliberately, complete the search for a new head coach. Moreover, I commend him for identifying a person with the capabilities and integrity of Alex Wood.”

ALEX WOOD PERSONAL: Wood is a native of Massillon, Ohio, and was a standout football player and wrestler at Washington High School. He and his wife, Rosa, have three children--Jerrel, Alex and Natalie. His son Alex is the defensive coordinator at Wayne (NE) State College.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION