James Woody is entering his third year as offensive coordinator at Jackson State. Under Woody's leadership the JSU Tigers have made significant improvement each season. In 2007 the Tigers were second in scoring offense, passing offense and pass efficiency and led the SWAC in time of possession. The Tigers were also third rushing offense, total offense and red zone offense.

In 2006 Woody's offense was ranked No. 1 in scoring offense and No. 2 in total offense in the SWAC.

Woody came to JSU from Tuskegee University, where he served as offensive coordinator under Rick Comegy. The Golden Tigers led the SIAC in scoring offense with a 30.5 scoring average in 2000. The 2000 team captured the SIAC and HBCU National Championship with a 12-0 record. In 2004, Tuskegee's offense led the SIAC in passing (244.4 yards per game), passing percentage (57.3) and passing efficiency. The Golden Tigers averaged 388.8 yards per game and 35.4 points per game, finishing second in both categories in the SIAC in 2004.

In 2005 his TU offensive unit led the SIAC in scoring offense, pass offense, third down conversions, fourth down conversions, red zone offense and total offense. The Golden Tigers averaged 408.5 yards and 30.8 points per game and outscored their opponents 370-193. He was also Comegy's offensive coordinator at Central State University (OH) before joining the Tuskegee coaching staff in March of 1996. Woody served as Central State's quarterback and running backs coach from 1986 to 1994 and offensive coordinator (coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers) from 1994-95. He was the NAIA Rawlings Offensive Coordinator of the Year in 1995.

As a student-athlete Woody, a four-year starter earned, All-American honors as a quarterback for the NCAA/NAIA in 1983 and Black College All-American, 1983 and 1984. He was selected as his team's most valuable player in 1984, 100% Wrong Club Independent Player of the Year in 1983 and was drafted by the CFL Edmonton Eskimos in 1985. Woody was the most valuable player versus North Alabama in the 1983 NCAA Division II semifinal playoffs. He led the nation in touchdown passes in all NCAA divisions (36) in 1983. In 1995, under Woody's offensive guidance, the Marauders of Central State University led the nation (NAIA) in total offense (493 yards per game) and scoring (39.6 points per game) en route to the NAIA national championship.

He was inducted into the Central State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. He is a member of the Black College Coaches Association and American Football Coaches Association.

Woody earned a bachelor of science degree in management from Central State University in 1986. The Washington, D.C. native is married to the former Dionne Jones of Columbus, Miss., a Jackson State University graduate. The two are the proud parents of Ciera Capri, James R., II and Jarvis Ryan-Henry. Woody and his family are members of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Madison.