Black college football is witnessing a renaissance, and the hiring of Super Bowl champion Tory Woodbury as the new head football coach at Winston-Salem State University is a resounding confirmation of that movement. This isn't just a coaching change; it's a powerful homecoming and a strategic investment in Black excellence.

Woodbury, a distinguished WSSU alumnus and former student-athlete, is returning to the place where his journey began. His ties to the program run deep, evidenced by his induction into the WSSU Hall of Fame in 2008 and the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2016. For the Rams, bringing back one of their own—a man who understands "Ram pride" intrinsically—is a move that instantly injects renewed passion and institutional knowledge into the locker room.

But Woodbury's value extends far beyond his alma mater loyalty. His professional résumé is dotted with high-level experience, including an eight-year professional playing career with teams like the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. More critically, he carries the ultimate credential of success: a Super Bowl ring. Most recently, Woodbury served as a scout and an assistant special teams coach for the Los Angeles Rams when they secured their Super Bowl LVI victory.

His diverse coaching background, which includes stops at several HBCUs like Howard University, Johnson C. Smith University, and Norfolk State University, ensures he understands the unique landscape of Division II Black college athletics while maintaining an elite, professional standard.

This hiring represents more than football. It signifies a continued trend of Historically Black Colleges and Universities prioritizing talent with significant NFL experience to lead their programs. It’s a statement that HBCUs are not just stepping stones, but destinations—places where Black leaders with championship experience can return to pour their knowledge back into the community that cultivated them. This momentum is evident across the MEAC and CIAA with the high-profile appointments of former NFL star DeSean Jackson as head coach at Delaware State University and Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick leading the program at Norfolk State University.

As WSSU Chancellor Bonita J. Brown noted upon the announcement, Woodbury’s "energy, expertise, and unwavering passion for this institution clearly rose above the rest." The mandate is clear: "restore the standard" and win. With a Super Bowl champion now commanding the Rams, the standard has certainly been raised. For WSSU, and for the entire culture of Black college football, the new era has officially begun.