Why should this nominee be considered for the Broyles Award?
Has led Troy to one of the best defensive seasons in the country and school history … Troy is one of just two teams since 2000 to win two games when scoring 10 or fewer points and one of seven to win four or more games when scoring 17 or fewer points … Troy’s 167 points allowed are its second fewest through 10 games in Troy’s DI history as are their 20 touchdowns allowed … It is the second fewest points allowed (only six off first) and second fewest touchdowns (by just one) in Sun Belt history … Despite facing the No. 2 & No. 3 rushing teams, rank 25th in total defense, 40th in rushing defense, 34th in passing defense and 9th in scoring defense
Coach's Past Performance
In addition to his co-defensive coordinator duties with the Black Knights, Wood coached the Army inside linebackers in 2020 before transitioning to coaching the safeties in 2021.Wood helped guide Army to a 9-4 record in 2021, capped by a victory over Missouri in the Armed Forces Bowl. Army ranked 17th nationally, holding opponents to just 328.4 yards per game, 36th allowing just 22.3 points per game and 17thallowing only 117.2 yards per game on the ground. The Black Knights were also one of the fewest penalized teams in the country, finishing third with just 3.85 penalties per game. In his first year at West Point, Wood helped lead Army to a 9-3 record and finish as the top defense in the country, allowing just 275 total yards per game. Additionally, the linebackers chipped in with the run-stopping unit that finished 18th in the country, allowing only 114.6 yards per game on the ground against a schedule full of run-heavy offenses. The Black Knights also ranked in the country’s top five in scoring defense (2nd – 14.83 ppg), red zone defense (2nd – .645 scoring pct.) and passing yards allowed (2nd – 160.8 ypg). Wood, a former assistant coach at Georgia Tech and defensive coordinator at Wofford, was Georgia State’s inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator during the 2019 season. During the 2019 season, Georgia State matched its school record for victories. The Panthers posted the third-best improvement nationally with a five-game increase in wins over the previous season.Before his stint at Georgia State, Wood coached Georgia Tech’s safeties and assisted with special teams, helping the Yellow Jackets to a bowl berth. As Wofford’s defensive coordinator in 2017, Wood directed a unit that led the Southern Conference in rushing defense (121.7 ypg) while ranking second in the league and No. 26 in the FCS in total defense, allowing just 326.7 yards-per-game. The defensive effort helped lead Wofford to a 10-3 overall record, the outright SoCon championship (7-1 in league play) and an FCS quarterfinal appearance, where the Terriers fell to eventual national champion North Dakota State.
Team Record and Standings
Troy is 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the Sun Belt; leads the Sun Belt West Division. Only losses are at Ole Miss and App State (on Hail Mary)
Carlton Martial became the all-time tackles leader in NCAA FBS history … Martial ranks second in the country in tackles per game … Defensive end T.J. Jackson ranks 15th in tackles for loss and 26th in sacks
