Let’s take a deeper dive into the career of Tory Woodbury, who’s been given an extraordinary opportunity to further his professional growth in the NFL. Recently named a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellow by the Minnesota Vikings, Woodbury is getting his second shot to shine in this prestigious program. For those of you tracking his journey, you might recall his previous stint with the Chargers back in 2024 while coaching at Howard University.
The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship is a gateway designed to bolster the ranks of minority coaches in the NFL. Its purpose is crystal clear: provide capable coaches with firsthand experience in the league, a step towards landing a full-time NFL coaching role. To get into this program, you need to be a former NFL player who has cut their teeth in coaching, whether at the high school, college, or other levels of the football world.
Woodbury’s football narrative is rich with experience both on the field and the sidelines. As a player, he donned the jerseys of the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets. Post his playing days, Woodbury crafted a solid coaching résumé. Most recently, he held dual roles as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator for the Howard Bison during the 2024 season.
Rewinding a bit further, Woodbury boasts five seasons of NFL coaching, having been an assistant special teams coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams. His time with the Rams was punctuated with a Super Bowl victory about three years ago—quite the accolade to have on any coach’s profile. Beyond the NFL, Woodbury has accumulated nearly ten years in the collegiate coaching sphere, including positions like offensive coordinator.
This fall, Woodbury steps into a new chapter, joining Michael Vick’s inaugural staff at Norfolk State as the special teams coordinator. Vick’s coaching lineup is an exciting mix, blending college and professional experience.
The buzz around Norfolk State is palpable as they gear up for a thrilling season opener against Towson University. The primetime clash is slated for August 28th at 7 PM EST and will be broadcast live on ESPN. It’s a matchup you won’t want to miss as both teams aim to make a statement from the first kickoff.
