Former University of Northern Iowa basketball player Andy Woodley started near the bottom and has worked his way up close to the pinnacle of his coaching career, all at the youthful age of 30. The difficult part is  he’s now coaching against his alma mater in his role as Director of Player Development at Creighton University, a position he’s held since last summer.
Woodley graduated from UNI in 2002. He received a full basketball scholarship with the Panthers after graduating from West Des Moines (IA) Valley High School in 1997. He started three years at UNI and was team captain. He ranked first in the Missouri Valley Conference in steals and assists and was sixth in the nation in steals during the 1999-2000 season. Heading into the 2008-09 campaign, he ranked third on UNI’s all-time steals list.
From 2004-06, Woodley was varsity boysbasketball coach at Sam Rayburn High School in Houston, Tex., compiling a 40-25 overall record, the best winning percentage in school history. His 2005-06 team finished 22-11 overall, the most wins since 1988. He coached two first-team all-district players.
He moved to Iowa City (IA) High in 2006 where he compiled an 80-33 mark, also the best winning percentage in school history. His 2007-08 squad won the Class 4A state title, finished 25-1 overall and was ranked sixth nationally by Maxpreps.com. He was sub-state 7 Coach of the Year.
Woodley and his wife, Casee, have a son Drew (7), and daughter Alyx (11 months). His father, Mike, a former UNI football player, currently is the head football coach at Grand View College. Brother Brian is head football coach at Johnston (IA) High School, brother Matt is an assistant basketball coach at Washington State University, and brother, Joe, is defensive coordinator for his father.
What did you like about coaching at the high school level?
At my first job in suburban Houston I was more of a father figure for the kids in my program. I really had to use basketball as a vehicle to teach them life lessons. Most of my players had to work 20-30 hours a week while attending school and playing basketball. It was an experience that I will never forget. To date they are the hardest working kids I have been around and I continue to follow their progress. I was at Iowa City High for two years and had a chance to coach some kids that made me look like a good coach. They were very talented and were a great group of kids who put their egos aside with one goal in mind, which was to win a state title. They achieved their ultimate goal, winning the 4A State Championship in 2008.
Why did you leave Iowa City?
When the opportunity presented itself following our state title run I thought it was just too good to pass up. An opportunity to be involved with a program of the caliber of Creighton was an honor to even be considered. It was a tough decision to leave Iowa City after the great relationships I had built with the community and the kids in the program, but I thought it was the best move for both my family and professionally.
What’s it like to be coaching alongside another UNI alum, Darian DeVries?
Coaching with Darian has been a great honor and learning experience. Darian was very involved with me getting hired at Creighton. I have known Darian since my high school days while playing for him on the Martin Bros AAU team. He has been a great mentor for me over the years.
What do you miss most about the Cedar Valley?
I miss the great people of the Cedar Valley more than anything. I wouldn’t trade my UNI experience for anything. I really enjoyed the Panther fans, coaches, students, faculty and staff.
Do you still stay in touch with any of your former teammates?
I have had contact with a few of my teammates. I still talk to Robbie Sieverding on a weekly basis. I still stay in touch with Aaron Middendorf and Joe Breakenridge as well. They all seem to be doing very well. |
