Woods Returns Home to Lead with Heart and Purpose at Norfolk State

For Jermaine Woods, basketball wasn’t part of the original plan. He never dreamed of pacing the sidelines, drawing up plays, or guiding young athletes through college and life.

But sometimes, purpose finds you, especially when you’re rooted in the community you’re destined to serve.

“It all started at a JV game,” Woods said. “I was watching my cousins play, and they weren’t seeing eye to eye with their coach. During the game, they started coming over to me on the sideline, asking for advice. They ended up winning that night.”

That moment stuck with Woods. Soon after, principal Cynthia Watson called with an opportunity to lead the JV boys’ basketball team at Booker T. Washington High School.

That chance sparked a journey from the classroom to the court, from assistant roles to leading college programs, and ultimately back to where it all began. 

Raised by a single mother in Norfolk, Woods speaks with deep gratitude for the educators and coaches who shaped his life. Names like David Floyd, Lonnie Blow, Darren Sanderlin, John Baker, and Cornell Parker come up often, each leaving a mark on his coaching style and values.

“Coach Blow was a big X’s and O’s guy, technical,” Woods said. “Sanderlin taught me skill development and leadership, while Baker gave me the blueprint for handling the things off the court. They were all different, but they each helped shape who I am today.”

Woods built his coaching resume one step at a time, from JV to varsity and to the collegiate level as an assistant and head coach. At Coppin State, he led his own program to success, while also changing the culture. 

While at Coppin State, Woods successfully directed a strategic transformation of the program. Under his leadership, the Eagles recorded their winningest season in over a decade during the 2024-25 campaign to earn a berth in the WNIT Tournament, claiming a historic victory over Colgate. The win marked the program’s second-ever postseason win.

Now, as he enters his fourth year as a head coach and first at Norfolk State, he calls it a “full circle moment.” 

“I needed to leave to grow. I wasn’t ready a few years ago,” Woods said. “But now I’m back, not just to be home, but to do the work. I’m here on business and I’m here to build.”

He describes the transition to NSU seamless. From the administration to academic support, Woods credits the people around him for creating an environment where he can thrive.

Woods also points to the strong sense of community on campus as a key factor in his positive experience. He says he feels genuinely supported and valued, both as a coach and as an individual. 

“From President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston to the business department and athletics staff, everyone’s been so welcoming,” Woods said. “It’s been smooth, and I’m so happy to be back where it all started.”

Woods makes one fact clear: his vision goes beyond wins and losses. His mission centers on transforming lives and preparing young women for life after basketball.

He emphasizes the importance of developing the student, not just the athlete. Through mentorship, academic accountability, and a focus on character building, Woods strives to equip his players with the tools needed to succeed in every aspect of life. For Woods, the true measure of success is seeing his players graduate, grow as leaders, and make a positive impact in their communities.

“I don’t want to be known for my record. I want to be known for what these young women do when they leave me,” Woods said. “Graduation, jobs, building a life. That’s the win.”

As a leader, Woods lives by three core principles: assign roles, collaborate, and execute.

He believes that clearly defined roles create accountability and empower individuals to take ownership of their responsibilities. By ensuring everyone knows their purpose and how they contribute to the bigger picture, Woods fosters a culture of trust and efficiency within his team.

Collaboration is the glue that holds everything together. Woods encourages open communication and values diverse perspectives, knowing that the best solutions often come from collective effort. Once a plan is in place, he emphasizes execution, turning strategy into action with discipline, focus, and consistency.

“I want everyone to feel a part of this. Yes, I’ll have the final say, but we build together,” Woods said. “The culture is about the people, not the other way around. I need good people around me who share the same vision.”

That vision already resonates with his players. Anjanae Richardson and Da’Brya Clark both entered the transfer portal following the season. After Woods took the reins, both chose to return.

Both Clark and Richardson played key roles in leading Norfolk State to MEAC Tournament titles in 2024 and 2025. Both players received All-MEAC Third Team honors last year, while Richardson earned MEAC Sixth Player of the Year accolades. 

“I decided to come back to NSU because I saw Coach Woods' vision for me and for our team,” Richardson said. “Even when I was in the portal, our talks made me believe we could pick up right where we left off. Da’Brya and I have two years of chemistry, and we’re ready to take it further.”

Off the court, Woods finds strength in family. He speaks with deep pride about his mother and wife, the two anchors in his life.

Their unwavering support, he says, has been the foundation of his journey, shaping his values, grounding his decisions, and fueling his drive to lead with compassion and purpose. Whether celebrating milestones or navigating challenges, Woods leans on their wisdom and encouragement, crediting them as the steady forces behind his resilience and success.

“My mom raised me by herself. Everything I do is to make her proud,” he said. “And my wife, she’s a hall of famer. We went to school together from elementary through high school. She’s held it down raising our kids while I was away coaching, and her jersey needs to be retired.”

With new recruits on the way and a strong foundation already in place, Woods plans to build on the legacy of Norfolk State women’s basketball, while making it distinctly his own.

His players have jumped on board, beginning with Cire Worley, who transferred from Coppin State to rejoin Woods. Worley said the decision to follow her coach was rooted in trust and purpose.

“Coach Woods helped me regain my confidence when I needed it most,” Worley said. “Following him to Norfolk was a no-brainer as I believe that his leadership on and off the court is something to admire and embody. He leaves a footprint everywhere he goes, and I want to be part of that legacy.”

Woods doesn’t chase accolades, he builds lives. He leads with intent and purpose, aiming to leave a legacy that exists beyond the scoreboard.

Woods makes his impact in the quiet moments, offering a word of encouragement after a tough practice, checking in on a player’s academic progress, or reminding them that who they are matters more than what they do on the court. He plants seeds of confidence and integrity, knowing they’ll continue to grow long after the final buzzer.

Woods doesn’t measure his legacy in banners or trophies. Instead, he looks to the lives of the young women he’s helped shape. When they leave his program believing in themselves, valuing hard work, and striving to uplift others, Woods knows he has fulfilled his mission.

“I want people to say I did it the right way. That my players left as better people, better students, and we won some games too,” he said. “I want the community to be proud, and that’s the legacy I’m working for.”