Appalachian State adds Woody, mid-year signees

Boone, NC – Appalachian State first-year football coach Scott Satterfield announced the addition of former Wofford defensive coordinator Nate Woody to fill the same role with the Mountaineers on Monday.

Five student-athletes - four transfers and a true freshman - also officially joined the program on the first day of the spring semester.

Woody, 52, spent 22 seasons (1988-93, 1997-2012) at ASU's Southern Conference rival Wofford, his alma mater. He was the defensive coordinator for the last 13 seasons.

In 2012, the Terriers allowed only 16.6 points, 125 rushing yards and 305.9 total yards per game to lead the SoCon in all three categories. ASU, Wofford and Georgia Southern shared the conference title this past season.

"I've always respected the talent level at Appalachian State, how well-coached their teams have been and the championships that they've won," Woody said. "Also, I'm looking forward to going against a powerful spread offense every day in practice, which I think gives me the chance to grow as a coach."

Woody replaces Dale Jones as ASU's defensive coordinator. Jones, who held the position from 2010-12. Jones will remain as an assistant coach on the defensive side of the ball.

All five mid-year enrollees can participate in spring practice and play for ASU during the 2013 season.

The true freshman is Anthony Covington, 5-foot-11, 195-pound defensive back from Charlotte and Mallard Creek High.

The transfers are Eric Davidson, a 5-10, 200-pound sophomore running back from Greensboro, N.C., and the University of Utah; Brandon Hunter, a 6-4, 275-pound junior offensive lineman from Chapel Hill, N.C., and Louisburg College; Ryan McGuirt, a 6-2, 190-pound sophomore punter from Charlotte, N.C., and Miami (Fla.); and Denzel Ward, 5-11, 230-pound sophomore linebacker from Elizabeth City and Virginia Tech.