Rodney Woods twice was named Kentucky coach of the year and nine 12th Region titles. (Photo submitted)
Rodney Woods won over 750 games, including nine 12th Region titles, in 38 years at Wayne County. He has won more games — 824 — than any active high school coach in Kentucky and is fourth on the state’s all-time win list with his 44-year mark of 824-470. Twice he was named the state coach of the year.
He has 11 of his 12 players of this year’s team that went 24-8 before losing to Danville Christian Academy in the 12th Region tourney and 10 of his 11 returning players will be back for two more years so it certainly seemed logical that Woods would move past William Kean of Central with 856 career wins into third on the all-time coaching win list in the next two years.
Or at least it seemed logical until first-year Wayne County superintendent Donnie Neal fired Woods on Wednesday in a move that did not surprise the coaching icon.
How could that be? Woods not only is a winning coach but he does it the right way. He turned down numerous chances to leave Wayne County because he loves the Monticello area. He’s one of the most respected coaches in the state and his teams are built on fundamental basketball with players who grew up and live in Wayne County.
So why was Woods not surprised he was fired? Simple. It seems Woods’ wife was on a superintendent search screening committee 10 years ago that did not recommend Neal, a principal in the Wayne system at the time, to be superintendent.
“He said then he would get me and he was hired as superintendent in August,” Woods said Wednesday. “He sent one of his assistants to my house today to tell me that my coaching duties had been terminated. Nobody is going to be able to talk to him or call him.”
Jeff Hoover was one of many fans that Woods has who was upset by the decision and didn’t hide his feelings on social media.
“If you want to call Wayne County Superintendent Don Neal and tell him what a stupid, selfish, petty, bone-headed decision he made to fire @coachrwoods, his number is (606) 348-8484. Personal vendetta to get rid of one of best high school coaches in Kentucky history. Unbelievable,” Hoover posted on X. “Absolute travesty. @coachrwoods is arguably the best high school coach in Kentucky. Guarantee you he’s Top 5 from any objectionable analysis. Incredible. Folks in Wayne County will not be happy. True basketball fans not happy. I’m more than not happy.”
WKYT-TV sports director Brian Milam posted this: “An absolute travesty has occurred in the HS coaching ranks. Wayne County coach Rodney Woods has been relieved of his duties. Pink-slipped by the new Superintendent. 38 years of winning and Coach Woods gets canned like this? Something is not right in Monticello.”
No it is not right and reminds me of the idiotic decision made a few years ago by the Danville Independent Schools superintendent to fire coach Clay Clevenger two years after he won a state title. It put the entire school system into disarray and Danville is still fighting to recover.
Sophomore Seth Farmer is a 6-6 forward/center who plays for Woods and made his feelings about the coach clear on X also.
“The entire team loves Coach Woods and nobody wanted him gone. If you’re supposed to do what’s right by the school, then you would never do such a thing. He is the best coach in this state and there is no argument. An absolute disgrace! We will not stand for this,” Farmer posted on social media.
Disgrace is a fair word but my guess is the new Wayne administration does not care and there’s really nothing anyone else can really do to walk back this decision no matter how unpopular or unfair it is.
Former player Mason Burchett also was not happy with the news.
“This is absolutely ridiculous. I have been a part of the Wayne County Basketball program sense i was able to walk. @coachrwoods has not only been a huge part of my life, but a huge part of others life’s as well. Wayne County Basketball will never be the same. Thank you Coach!” Burchett posted on X.
Woods said the new superintendent gave raises to coaches in all sports except football and basketball when he was hired but he was fine with that since he felt the other coaches were underpaid.
“They needed a raise,” Woods said. “I ain’t got nothing to hide. I have been here 38 years. I have never wanted to coach anywhere else. I had a bunch of chances to leave and never have. I love it here.
“It was brought up in (school board) meetings in the summer that the rumor was I would be gone at the end of the year but of course board members are not allowed to talk about personnel. I told people all year I thought he would do it but people did not believe me but I knew it could be coming.”
Woods had not had a chance to talk to his players yet but was told some of them — along with several parents — went to the board of education office to talk to Allen but he would not meet with them.
“It’s disappointing and has not been a good day but life is full of hard turns,” the former Wayne coach said.
He won’t look for another coaching job because he doesn’t want to leave the town/county he loves. Instead, he’ll spend more time with his seven grandkids and also attend more University of Tennessee basketball games.
He was the point guard at Tennessee for coach Ray Mears when stars Bernard King and Ernie Grunfield played for the Vols. He led the Southeastern Conference in assists three times as he averaged 9.4 points and 6.9 assists per game in his career and still holds the single season assists record with 227 in 1975.
Woods coached three years at Powell Valley, Tenn., and three years at Corbin before moving to Wayne County before the 1986-87 season.
“I have been to about five Tennessee games in the 38 years I have lived here because I was always doing something,” Woods said. “Now I’ll get to go back more.”
That’s good for him but a huge, huge loss for Kentucky high school basketball and Wayne County.
46 Responses
Fine accurate article.
Coach Woods was a class act and a worthy adversary for all who faces him.
The decision was not in the best interest of Wayne County or the program.
All these jobs are so political,and it’s sad to do a coach this way that’s doing a great job! I’ve watched him coach several games! He does a great job! Everything I’ve ever heard of him has been great!
Same here Doug. Not only a great coach but a great person.
The people in Wayne County should recall the People on the Board that was obviously a part of the firing. If there was ever a reason for a lawsuit, the people or parents of the players should demand an answer. This clearly looks like the Board allowed the firing of this great coach, which are very hard to find.
with you Frank
I hate politics! A teacher/Coach or anyone as far as that goes should be fired because the Sup doesn’t like them. Horrible despicable move by a petty man who thinks he is King of the world. Fire the Sup!
Just makes no sense Ken
It’s sad when a superintendent lets a personal conflict interfere with what’s best for the children. Coach Woods has always been a true athlete , coach and an exemplary example for the kids to follow. It is a darn shame that the kids have to lose out because of the simple mindless decisions of the superintendent.
Very, very sad Sherwin
Sounds like they need a new superintendent immediately. After working in schools and colleges for over 30 years, you learn that people who react with vendettas usually destroy everything they touch.
just crazy OldFan
I feel bad for Coach Woods, but also for the Wayne County basketball team and the community. It’s very rare for an outstanding coach to stay at a small school after they achieve success, especially one who has received numerous higher-paying offers.
With no reason or explanation given by Donnie Neal or the school board, Wayne County is losing the winningest active coach in Kentucky. That’s just devastating and sad for that school and community.
It’s easy to see why two of the five members of the school board voted against hiring Neal as superintendent last summer. With his pettiness, cowardice (sending an assistant to deliver the news) and lack of regard for what’s best for Wayne County’s students, Neal clearly has no business leading the school system.
I imagine the next school board meeting should be interesting, but my guess is the three school board members who support Neal, as well as Neal himself, will offer no explanation for the firing other than it was "a personnel decision."
It’s impossible to offer an explanation when there isn’t one.
Guarantee you there will be no explanation because there does not have to be
38 years is a long time. Maybe it was time for a change in with the new. Small towns like Wayne County will let personal work way past there times instead of bringing in new qualified employees. Then when they do its 95% of the time a family member/ friend of a friend or someone with the same last name who gets the position. That’s just the politics of small towns.
Only issue here Jack is he was still winning at a high rate and beloved by players and fans
Was not a political deal. Revenge is 100 percent the reason. This came about last fall when 3 board members along with Neal. The 3 installed Neal even though his name wasn’t one of the screening committee names recommended to board for hire. They did it anyway.
Revenge Jack. Please read or reread the article slowly and then comment. Why change when you have one of the best coaches in the state who just completed another successful season and has the majority of his team back? Come on Jack you can do better.
Most schools would give that coach a raise Greg
9 Regional championships in 38 years. 24-8 this past year, returning 10 players that have at least 2 years remaining to play. How could that possibly indicate that it is time for a change?
So you think he was "well past his time"? and under-qualified? Time for a change? Did you even read the article?
Perhaps it’s time for the Kentucky legislature to revisit the power given to Superintendents. There should be some oversight/accountability for Superintendents just like there is for everyone else.
Preach it Norrie
So sad when a personal vendetta gets involved in decision making. I would think with the record Wayne County had last year and what they have coming back they would probably be favorite for there region and also ranked in the state. I would guarantee whoever they bring in to coach if Coach Woods doesn’t get reinstated wont have the experience he had. Such a sad day for Wayne County and Kentucky high school basketball. I would also bet Coach Woods still wants the team to do the best they can do with or without him , he is a man with integrity it would be nice if Superintendent Donnie Neal had a little.
McCreary here! Many looked up to Rodney here. This was a huge mistake for Wayne County. Prayers for him and the players.
Same here in Danville with him Carla
Mr. Neal will suffer the consequences of doing such a stupid thing in the future. Wayne county may have or had the premier program in the 12th region. Rodney Woods, and Jeff Jackson are two of the best coaches in the state. Feel sorry for the players, and fans. Bad decision Mr. Neal.
Too often Daniel there are no consequences for superintendents if they control three board members
I met Rodney and GJ Smith in1971 at American Legion Baseball Tournament my Dad was the commissioner for several years. I had the pleasure of Refereeing several of his games he was always a Gentleman as well an outstanding Coach. This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard. I’ve seen this all over the state because somebody’s feelings got hurt. This may not correct this problem but Wayne Co residents y’all need a new superintendent and 3 board members VOTE
Gentleman is a very accurate word to use here
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”
– Philippians 2:3-4
Amen Steve
Remember others that had a hand in this when you are shopping local .
Tell us more Lottie
There was a rumor going around that any staff member who was not tenured (meaning less than five years experience) was gone as well. This superintendent will have a lot of positions to fill if more staff leave the district.
That is insane Jeremy
Well…Wayne County’s loss should be Pike County’s gain. Belfry High School has an opening for a Head Basketball Coach right now and a lot of “Pond Creek Nation” boosters who would welcome him and make sure he had what he needed there. And it’s only a 3 hours drive from Knoxville so he could still visit UT often. He’d join another one of Kentucky’s winningest Head Coach’s in Belfry Football Coach Phillip Haywood on staff there. Sounds like a perfect fit for Coach Woods.
Absolute idiot….NEVER mess with anything…when you are winning….NEVER…..unless you are an idiot.
SMH… superintendent will think revenge when his time comes… This is sickening and should not be allowed to happen… I remember Coah Woods from when he was at Powell Valley… his whole life has been about basketball…
you got that right Teresa
I simply wouldn’t stand for such an idiotic decision! As a community, I would demand He be reinstated!
I agree John but not really anything community can do
They can show up at all board meetings and let their voices be heard. They can talk to their school board members and advise them to enjoy their last term on the board of education. How can a superintendent with this type of mentality and character be expected to do what’s best for the students, teachers and school staff in Wayne County?
Great points but based on what happened in Danville, superintendent can just refuse to change and Board is not involved in personnel — plus 3 members who voted to hire him are not going to turn against him until election day comes again
John Kendrick, hope you would believe we are doing everything in our power to get this reversed. Rodney is well loved by the biggest margin of people in our county. Those that don’t like him is because he will wear his Tenn. orange cap and Tenn. license plate on front of his vehicle. How petty can people be. There is absolutely nothing this man has done wrong to be fired from his job. We appreciate all the support from not only Ky but surrounding States. True injustice done that is effecting our schools and county big time.
I first met Rodney Woods forty-eight years ago when he and the men’s slow-pitch softball team he played for were playing in the state tournament in Murray, Kentucky. That team was the Pineville Raiders (most often called Doc’s Raiders after the team sponsor, Dr. Emanuel Rader, who passed last year). Rodney was the shortstop & manager, and their pitcher was a fellow by the name of Billy Hicks (yes, the same Billy Hicks that coached at Scott County). About five years later, he agreed to play for my team. His leadership helped my softball teams win several national championships. In 1986, when the Wayne County boys head coaching job opened up, he interviewed with the Superintendent, Clarence Bates, and was hired shortly thereafter. Wayne County had won one Regional Championship in Boys Basketball before Rodney became the coach. Since then, his teams were State Runners-up in 1989, 12th Region Champions nine times, and he was acknowledged as one of the best coaches in Kentucky. It is a sad time for Wayne Countians to see such a distinguished and achieved coach dismissed, especially with the outstanding roster of players returning in the next two seasons. Thanks, Coach Woods for having done such an outstanding job of teaching our boys how to compete on the court and in life.
Well said Hank