Mahar graduate and UMass alumnus Scott Woodward is now an offensive quality control analyst for the University of Pittsburgh.
“Basically it’s an offensive assistant and working with quarterbacks,” Woodward said. “And helping out with the skill positions.”
When Florida State offensive coordinator Walt Bell took the head coaching job for UMass football, he brought his own staff of assistants, which left Woodward looking for work.
Woodward, a Wendell native and former UMass quarterback, had worked as a tight ends coach with the Minutemen.
Former UMass coach Mark Whipple took the offensive coordinator position at Pittsburgh in January.
Around the time the New England Patriots were set to play in the Super Bowl, Woodward received a phone call from Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi.
“I got in the car and drove the eight hours to Pittsburgh,” Woodward said. “Met with coach Whipp and watched the Super Bowl.”
Woodward started soon after assisting Whipple with the offense.
“I’ve been in the office every day,” Woodward said. “Knowing coach Whipp, it’s been a good transition. But there are twenty other guys in the office. Excited to learn from them and become a better football coach.”
There were other possible opportunities for Woodward.
“I was talking with other places,” Woodward said. “But I am happy it worked out here.”
Since the Super Bowl, Woodward has called a hotel home. He and his fiance, Kelli Murphy, are looking currently looking for places to live.
Murphy is a speech pathologist at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham and will finish up her current school year before moving.
Woodward started at quarterback for three seasons at Mahar, leading the Senators to back-to-back Division 3 Super Bowl titles. He was a three-time All-Western Mass. selection and made All-State as a senior.
Woodward was a four-year letterman for the Minutemen from 2005-08. He was backup quarterback to the school’s all-time passing leader, Liam Coen, who was on the losing end of this year’s Super Bowl as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams. Woodward was the holder on field goals and extra points all four seasons and was on the 2006 team that reached the Division 1AA national championship game.
After graduating from UMass in 2009, Woodward served as an assistant coach at Westfield State from 2010-13 and at Fairleigh Dickinson from 2013-15. He had been with the Minutemen since 2015.
