Ga. Tech hires Appalachian State’s Nate Woody as defensive coordinator

ATLANTA — Georgia Tech hired Nate Woody of Appalachian State at its defensive coordinator on Saturday, hoping he can bolster a unit that struggled last season under Ted Roof despite plenty of experience.

Roof left his alma mater last month in what appeared to be a mutual decision, becoming the co-defensive coordinator and associate head coach at North Carolina State.

Woody is a 27-year coaching veteran who directed Appalachian State’s defense the past five seasons.

After putting in an attacking 3-4 scheme, Appalachian State led the Sun Belt Conference in total defense three times and ranked among the top 30 teams nationally each of the past four seasons.

Appalachian State closed out this season with a 34-0 rout of Toledo in the Dollar General Bowl.

Woody becomes the fifth defensive coordinator in Paul Johnson’s decadelong tenure as head coach.

Roof served in the role longer than his predecessors — five seasons — but Johnson was clearly frustrated after the defense failed to protect late leads against Tennessee and Miami, despite an inexperienced unit that included six seniors and five juniors among the starters.

Roof’s departure was essentially sealed with the season finale, a 38-7 loss to rival Georgia that capped a 5-6 season. The Yellow Jackets missed out on a bowl for the second time in three years.

Prior to coaching at Appalachian State, Woody spent a total of 22 years over two stints at his alma mater, FCS school Wofford. He was defensive coordinator from 2000-12.

“He’s achieved a lot of success and helped his teams win a lot of games at Appalachian State and Wofford,” Johnson said in a statement. “I think he’s a great fit for our program.”