The Southeastern Louisiana men’s basketball team has hired former Lion Roger Woods as assistant coach entering the 2021-22 season, third-year SLU men’s head basketball coach David Kiefer announced.
Woods, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, played for the Lions as a freshman in the 2012-13 season under former SLU head coach Jim Yarbrough where he played in 30 games averaging 19.4 minutes.
“Southeastern is special to me,” said Woods. “It was my first home away from home and it made me grow a lot as a person and as an athlete. So now to be back where it all started for me is a great feeling. I’m looking forward to helping coach Kiefer and the entire staff put together a winning product on and off the floor.”
Following his freshman season, Woods transferred to Little Rock from 2014-2016 where he played for former Texas Tech and current University of Texas head coach Chris Beard. Woods averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 rebounds combined as a junior and senior at Little Rock.
As a senior, Woods helped Little Rock (30-5 in 2016) to a thrilling win over Purdue in double overtime in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament scoring 13 points. The Provine HS grad also earned third team All-Sun Belt as well Sun Belt Tournament MVP as a senior.
Woods was on Beard’s coaching staff at Texas Tech in the 2020-21 season. The Red Raiders advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by 10th-ranked Arkansas, 68-66.
Prior to Texas Tech, Woods received valuable coaching experience at Chipola Junior College and Brookwood Elite (AAU).
“I am really excited about Roger Woods joining the Lion family,” said Kiefer. “Roger had a very successful career as player and it started right here in Hammond. He then went on and became an all conference Sun belt player, NCAA Tournament participant, and eventually a professional. Coach Woods brings a workers mentality to the program who is willing to do whatever it takes to help us be successful. In his short time as a coach he has developed great contacts around the country, especially the southeast being that he is from Jackson and has worked at Chipola (Junior College) and Texas tech.”
Woods will join the Lions’ coaching staff that includes Kiefer, assistant coaches Mark Lieberman and Riley Conroy, and Director of Scouting Dean Baumert.
Woods’ hiring is pending approval from the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors.
Southeast Louisiana adds Woods as Assistant Coach
