Thomas Woodson joined the Gannon football staff just prior to the start of preseason camp in August 2025. A former standout quarterback at the University of Akron Woodson will serve as the receivers coach.
Most recently Woodson was the running backs coach at Notre Dame (Ohio) in 2023. He helped the Falcons go 7-3 while featuring 1,000-yard rusher Idris Lawrence. Lawrence was a Harlon Hill nominee who earned team All-Mountain East Conference honors while rushing for 1,145 yards and 9 TDs. He led the MEC and ranked sixth in Division II in rushing yards per game (127.2).
Woodson began his coaching career at Susquehanna where he worked with current Gannon defensive line coach Jake Kulig. He served as the quarterbacks coach in 2019. The River Hawks finished with a 10-1 record as Woodson mentored a quarterback who set school records for yards passing (2,375) and passing TDs (25).
In 2021 and 2022 he was a graduate assistant on the staff at West Liberty, working with the skill position players, including return specialists. Among his players was All-American Shon Stephens.
A record-setting quarterback and three-year starter at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa., Woodson went on to enjoy a stellar career at Akron from 2013-17. A three-year starter for the Zips he garnered multiple MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors and finished his career ranked No. 2 all-time in total passing yards (6,864) and passing touchdowns (53).
As a senior in 2017 he completed 159-of-278 yards for 1,777 yards and 14 touchdowns while starting nine games. He started eight contests in 2016 completing 146-of-242 for 2,079 yards and 18 touchdowns, surpassing his mark for passing TDs (16) from 2015. In the season opener against VMI he went 23-of-32 for a career-high 407 yards and a career-best and school record six touchdowns en route to MAC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 5) honors. He threw for 2,202 yards and 16 TDs and was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week twice in 2015.
Woodson graduated from Akron with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 2018 and completed work on his Master’s Degree in Education from West Liberty in 2023.
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