Ridley Raiders Football Staff

Ivy League Championships: 2010, 2012

Central League Championships: 2016

While with the Quakers, he worked with the linebackers for three seasons and currently serves as the defensive backs coach. He came to West Philadelphia with 19 years of coaching experience, including seven as the head coach at his alma mater, Widener University. In his first season with the defensive backs, Sam Chwarzynski and Evan Jackson each earned All-Ivy status. In 2011, Wood served as a tutor for Asa A. Bushnell Cup (Ivy MVP) finalist Erik Rask. Rask led the Quakers in tackles for the second straight year and was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection. A year earlier, both starting linebackers - Rask and Zach Heller -earned first-team All-Ivy status as the Quakers boasted the best rush defense in the nation and led the Ivy League in total defense, scoring defense, sacks and tackles for loss. As the head coach at Widener, the Pride thrived under Coach Wood. In 2007, they stormed to a league-record 17th MAC title and 12th trip to the NCAA Tournament with an undefeated conference mark, en route to an 8-3 overall record. This came on the heels of back-to-back ECAC titles in 2005 and 2006, marking the first time the program won postseason championships in consecutive years. The first gave the program its first postseason title since 1981.

While a player at Widener, Wood was a two-time All-MAC honoree, receiving citations as a Division III All-American and Academic All-District player as a senior. He helped Widener to its second straight MAC title in passing defense and a No. 12 national ranking in 1990.

After graduation, Wood was an assistant coach for the squad working with the defensive backs, running backs, linebackers and special teams from 1991-1995. He spent 1996 as the running backs coach at Division I-AA Lehigh University before returning to Widener in 1997 as defensive coordinator.

In his role with the defense, the team was one of the best units in the country against the run. In 1998, the Pride led the nation in allowing just 31.4 yards per game on the ground. During that season, the defense shattered the school record with 73 sacks and ranked seventh nationally in total defense. Four different times that season, Widener held opponents to negative yards on the ground, including a school record minus-43 yards at Delaware Valley. Wood also served as Widener’s head golf coach for 10 seasons. Under his direction, the team enjoyed its highest mark in school history with a second-place conference finish in 2002, in addition to Widener’s first individual conference champion in the sport. Throughout his tenure at Widener, Wood was continually involved within the community. He actively worked with the Delaware County Special Olympics, was a member of the Delaware County Literacy Council, and was honored in 2010 at the Delaware County Hero Bowl for his continued service and support of the Delaware County Hero Scholarship. In addition, his teams annually participated in the "Be the Match" Bone Marrow Testing program - the same program Penn has been a part of since 2007. Woods has served as the Middle Atlantic Conference’s NCAA representative and has also participated in Pete Carroll’s USC Football Camp. He added a major notch to his resume in 2008 as the District II chair of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team Selection Committee. A three-year defensive starter for the squad, Wood graduated from Widener in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and received a Master’s of Taxation degree from the University in 1993.

A native of Yeadon, Pa., Wood was one of Delaware County’s leading rushers with an average of 5.7 yards per carry at Penn Wood High School in 1986.

Wood resides in Garnet Valley, Pa., with his wife Deanna and their four children David, Matthew, C.J., and Samantha.

THE WOOD FILE

Coaching Experience:

Linebackers Coach, University of Penn, 2010-2015

Head Coach, Widener University, 2003-2009

Defensive Coordinator, Widener University, 1997-2002

Running Backs Coach, Lehigh University, 1996

Defensive Backs, Linebackers and Running Backs, Widener University, 1992-1995

Special Teams Coach, Widener University, 1991

First Year at University of Penn 2010

Alma Mater: Widener University, 1991

Hometown: Yeadon, PA

Residence: Garnet Valley, PA

Family: Wife, Deanna; Daughter, Samantha; Sons, David, Matthew and C.J.

Education:

1991 - B.A., Widener University

1993 - Masters, Widener University

2022 - Present, Ridley Football Staff

2019 - 2021, Penncrest High School Football, Offensive Coordinator

2016 - 2018, Ridley Football Staff

2010 - 2015 Chichester High School Assistant Football Coach. Last 3 years was the Offensive Coordinator.

2005 Ridley Football Alumni (All Delco selection at QB/DB)

2023 - Present, Ridley Football Staff

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Former Strath Haven High School – Assistant Football Coach

Former Strath Haven High School – Wrestling Coach

1992 - Present, Ridley Football Staff

Ridley Township Police Detective

Hero Bowl – Assistant Coach (1988 - 1990) (2003 - 2015)

2007 - 2012 Swarthmorewood / Ridley Raiders Youth Football

1988 - 1990 Penncrest High School – Assistant Football Coach

1988 - 1990 Penncrest High School – Assistant Football Coach

2016 - Present, Ridley Football Staff

2006 - 2015 Ridley Park Youth Football - has been the Head Coach, the Offensive Coordinator

Defensive Coordinator, QB’s, LB’s, DL and RB’s

1992 - 2002 Swarthmorewood Youth Football

1995 Ridley Football / Baseball Alumni