DeAndra’e Woods selected as track & field, cross country head coach

ORANGE, Calif. – After a nationwide search, Chapman University athletics is proud to announce DeAndra'e Woods as the next head coach of the men's & women's track & field and cross country programs. Woods will officially take his position on August 21, replacing longtime head coach Anna Wlodarczyk.

"We are thrilled to welcome DeAndra'e to our coaching staff," said Director of Athletics Terry Boesel. "We had a strong pool of candidates but DeAndra'e stood out because of the passion and enthusiasm he exuded throughout the process. He is clearly knowledgeable but it was his passion and enthusiasm for not only his sport, but the overall growth of our student-athletes that made him the right fit at Chapman."

"I first would like to thank Terry Boesel and the search committee for this incredible opportunity to be a part of the Panther family. I look forward to building upon the tradition that Chapman University Athletics has established over the years," said Woods. "I am humbled and honored to be in this position. It is my goal to take these student-athletes of the Track & Field/Cross Country program to new heights and represent the university well on and off the athletic stage."

After attending high school in San Diego, Calif., Woods was a sprinter at NCAA Division I Cal State Fullerton from 2008-12 and was a team captain from 2010-12. During this time, Woods also became involved with Cal State Fullerton's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

 After exhausting his eligibility, Woods began volunteering, and later interning, with the strength & conditioning coaches at Cal State Fullerton. From 2012-15, he worked with the Titans' perennially nationally-ranked baseball team on a speed, agility and conditioning program.

"Coach Woods is a very vibrant and compelling mentor who is open to challenges and diligently applies himself to achieve the academic goal for the university as well as life goals for his student athletes," said former Cal State Fullerton associate head coach Brandit Campbell. "He always maintains an open line of communication with the compliance office to learn more about the NCAA rules and regulations. DeAndre possess great character and integrity and strives to implement the same characteristic in those he leads. He was a great leader at Cal State Fullerton as an athlete and I would not expect anything less else from him."

In 2015, Woods was hired at Concordia University Irvine as a Graduate Assistant. At CUI, he worked primarily with sprinters and relays while also assisting with hurdlers and jumpers. He coaches the Eagles' 4x100m relay team to a PacWest championship in 2016.

While at CUI, Woods earned coaching certificates from the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as a Sprint/Hurdles/Relay Specialist and a Jumps Specialist. He also is certified as a USA Track & Field Level 1 Coach and is in the process of becoming a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist.

In addition to his work in college athletics, Woods has worked as the Director of Sports Performance at the Office Sports Academy and taught sports medicine at El Rancho High School.

 "DeAndra'e is someone who has always been a student of the sport of track and field," added former Olympian and current head coach at Golden West College Monique Henderson. "I have known him for over 20 years and as a 3xOlympian, I have often picked his brain on training concepts. I am beyond excited to see the dedication, energy, and changes he brings to Chapman."

He graduated in 2013 from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor's of Science in kinesiology and earned his Master's of Arts in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia in 2017.

"I am so thankful to have the incredible support of my family," added Woods. "This position doesn't just mean a lot to me, but this means a lot to them as well. This has indeed come full circle for me, and I plan to make the best of it."

by Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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