By Scott C. Wallace Tennessee Tribune Sports
Pearl-Cohn’s assistant credits mentors, players and peers for his success
NORTH NASHVILLE- If you were to ask anyone that has played a sport who inspired them the most during their early years you will usually hear them mention a coach. Professional basketball icon gives his college coach Dean Smith a great deal of the acknowledgement for his success. People are used to hearing the names John Wooden, Mike Ditka, Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich when top coaches are discussed. One thing is for certain, great head coaches started out being great assistant coaches. Another certain is no matter what sport is being played, the assistant coach is the most unappreciated person on the team.
This past December 4th while being inducted into the Metro Coaches Hall of Fame, longtime football assistant coach Dorris Armstrong made it a point during his induction speech to recognize Pearl-Cohn Offensive Coordinator Brandon Woods. Armstrong asked Woods to stand and be recognized for his hard work over the years. Woods, a former assistant in basketball and football at Maplewood High School with Armstrong, reluctantly stood and received an ovation from everyone in the room which included coaches, players and contributors in Metro Sports. Woods was named The WTNTribune Radio Sports Dorris Armstrong Assistant Coach Player of the Year. An honor that will probably stay with him forever.
“Anytime your bosses give you praise it makes you feel good,” said Woods. “Coach Armstrong is like a father to me. He taught me a whole lot about coaching. I still remember him teaching me about the football gods. His theory is if you don’t do the little things right then you won’t succeed. For him to do that meant a whole lot to me. Now to get an award with his name on it is the icing on the cake.”
Woods’ fever for coaching starting while he was a student at Tennessee State University. He asked his professor Celeste Williams about who would be a good local coach to work with. Professor Williams introduced him to legendary coach Maurice Fitzgerald who was the head coach at Pearl-Cohn at the time. Under Fitzgerald, Woods learned how to breakdown film and he was in charge of the scout team. After a game against Maplewood, Woods spoke to Principal Bill Williams and Head Coach Ralph Thompson who both told him about an opening at the school for teaching and the offensive line coach. He also had another guy pining for him to come to Maplewood.
“We came to Maplewood when it was a laughingstock,” said Armstrong. “I remember going to see Pearl play last year and saying to Ralph that I don’t think we can stop them. He is one of the top offensive minds around. When we got him to come over I was happy that didn’t have to coach against him anymore. Over the years I have watched him grow into a guy that loves the game. I am glad he thinks so much of me. I am proud that he was named the first recipient of the assistant coach award.”
During Woods’ tenure at Maplewood he coached current Atlanta Falcon starting center James Stone. After six years at Maplewood which included an appearance in the state championship game and him coaching the freshman basketball team to a city championship, Woods moved back to Pearl-Cohn and took over the offensive. He arrived at the school the same year as 2014 Mr. Football Ke’shawn Vaughn.
“I have been blessed to have been around some great coaches,” said Woods “They all mentored me. Names like Fitzgerald, Armstrong, Ralph Thompson, Tony Brunetti and Ray Pratcher are synonymous with success. I can’t take all the credit. There are some great athletes that we have coached at Maplewood and Pearl. A guy like Ke’shawn is special because he is so coachable. When I arrived at Pearl, I was an I formation guy. (Pearl-Cohn Assistant Coach) Damian Harris and I spent a week at Arkansas State to learn the spread formation under Gus Malzahn. We have tried our best to emulate his system.”
Pearl-Cohn, led by Vaughn has put up some astounding numbers during Woods’ time there. Woods credits Harris with fellow assistants Andre Davis and Brian Curry with helping to get the team on the same page. This past season the Firebirds enjoyed their best campaign under Brunetti losing in the semi-finals on the road to Memphis Trezevant High School. Not only did Vaughn earn many accolades, junior QB Jimmy Ferrell enjoyed a great season. Ferrell’s combination of size, speed and arm strength reminds some of Carolina Panther QB Cam Newton. Newton won a National Championship and the Heisman Trophy in Malzahn’s system at Auburn University. Even with Vaughn graduating the cupboard is not bear for the coming years.
“I won’t be doing this forever but there are guys on this staff that is ready to take over,” said Woods. I can’t express how blessed I feel. We had a great year and I am ready to get back to work. I don’t know it all so I am ready to learn more.”