Woodland High School lands new football coach

Woodland — Mike Woodward, a Southwest Washington native, has been named Woodland High School’s new head football coach for the 2016 school year. Woodward, who prefers to be called “Coach Woody” by his players, taught physical education at Mountain View High School and Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver School District before spending the past nine years teaching for Westview High School in San Diego. “I love coaching kids and helping them become men and women of character,” Woodward said in the school’s weekly newsletter. Over his 17-year career as a head coach, Woodward guided his teams to the playoffs in 12 of those years and won almost 100 games. His coaching style and programs focus on instilling the importance of community service, education, self-respect and family in his players. Paul Huddleston, athletic director at Woodland, said he feels like he and Woodward are on the same page when it comes to what they value for their school and athletic community. “My vision for our athletic program is to have one that impacts the entire school. It’s not just about the sports, it’s about developing the character of the athletes and having those athletes influence the students of the entire school, creating a psychology of success throughout the school with athletes who are not on a pedestal — they’re servant leaders who give back and treat their classmates with respect,” Huddelston said. Woodward employs his “Men of Character” program to ensure his athletes are upstanding members of their community, on the field and off. “The foundation of our program begins with an emphasis on developing the whole athlete with this special program, which holds players and coaches accountable every day for the entire year, regardless of whether or not we’re currently in an active football season,” said Woodward.