Bethune-Cookman’s first-year coach has some building blocks in place
Raymond Woodie Jr., named the Pac-12 Conference’s No. 1 recruiter in 2017, is the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats’ new head coach.
Woodie, who has recruited seven players selected in recent NFL Drafts, has some standouts already in place.
Cornerback Omari Hill-Robinson, a senior from Fort Lauderdale Dillard, is on the preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference first team. He tied for second in the league last year with four interceptions, and he ran one of them picks back for a 97-yard touchdown.
In addition, he had five pass breakups, which tied for first on the team.
Safety Darnell Deas, a junior from Pompano Ely, is also on the first team — as a special teams player. Last year, he ran back 28 kickoffs for a 26.6 average and two touchdowns.
In fact, the Wildcats finished 2-9 last season, and Deas scored on kickoff returns in both of their wins. He had a 98-yarder in a 45-35 win over Mississippi Valley State, and he had a 97-yarder in a 36-19 victory over Grambling.
Offensively, wide receiver Marcus Riley returns after making a team-high-tying 39 receptions last year for a team-high 563 yards and five touchdowns.
In addition, running back Jimmie Robinson III has been identified as a leader as he represented the Wildcats during SWAC Media Day.
However, Jalon Jones, who passed for 2,275 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions last year, has transferred to Charlotte. This will be his fifth university, including Florida, Jackson State and Mississippi Delta Community College.
The 2023 quarterback competition includes Tyrone Franklin Jr., Walter Simmons, Ethan Dattilio and Nebanye Moore. Franklin struggled last year, going 9 for 30 with five interceptions. Simmons went 6 for 7 with one pick, and Dattilio and Moore are newcomers.
Woodie, meanwhile, has put together a solid coaching staff, including Miami native Robert Wimberly, who will serve as defensive coordinator.
Former FIU assistant DJ McCarthy is the Wildcats’ assistant head coach, and he’s in charge of special teams and tight ends.
Joe Gerbino and Donte’ Pimpleton are the co-offensive coordinators. Gerbino also coaches the quarterbacks. Pimpleton directs the running backs.
Woodie, who made first-team All-MEAC twice during his days as a Wildcats linebacker, knows full well that the primary job is to beat rival Florida A&M. The Rattlers lead the annual Florida Classic series, 52-24-1, and that includes wins in 2021 and 2022.
But there’s optimism at Bethune-Cookman.
“Already we’re deeper than we were in the spring,” said Woodie, who arrived here after serving as associate head coach for the past three years at Florida Atlantic University. “That depth is a huge bonus for us.”
