Former Kentucky assistant Scott Woodward is taking over high school program in Massachusetts

After spending three seasons with the Kentucky football program, Scott Woodward became a free agent following the loss to Clemson in the Gator Bowl. The former UMass quarterback is headed back to the Northeast and will get a chance to run his own program.

On Thursday, Concord (Mass.) Middlesex School named the former Kentucky assistant the new head varsity football coach.

Woodward played college football with Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen and joined him on staff at Kentucky in 2021. During that season, the quality control assistant would be promoted to wide receivers coach after Jovon Bouknight was arrested in the offseason. Following the dismissal of offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello after the 2022 regular season, Woodward was given play-calling responsibilities in the Music City Bowl. The assistant coach finished his third season in 2023 before being let go by head coach Mark Stoops. Kentucky replaced Woodward with former Houston wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts.

Woodward quickly found another landing spot.

“I’m so excited to have Coach Woodward joining Middlesex,” states Middlesex Athletic Director Craig Najarian. “Throughout the entire hiring process it was clear to me that he was the perfect fit for not only the football program, but the school as a whole. He’s certainly a talented coach, but what impressed me most was his obvious ability to connect with our students and build relationships with ease. I know he’s coming to us from the highest level of college sports, but you don’t feel that when you speak with him. That’s pretty unique.” 

Scott Woodward spent four seasons (2015-18) working at UMass under head coach Mark Whipple. The coach joined the staff in Amherst as a graduate assistant and eventually worked his way up to becoming the quarterbacks coach. From there, Woodward landed at Pittsburgh following Whipple after he was named the new offensive coordinator under Pat Narduzzi before bolting for Kentucky. Woodward got to work with first-round pick Kenny Pickett and second-round pick Will Levis in his last two collegiate stops.