Girls basketball: Fairfield brings back Woods to lead program amid reset

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield High School didn’t have to look far to find its next leader.

In fact, the answer felt familiar.

Carl Woods is returning to the sideline to lead the girls basketball program, stepping back into a role he once held — and never fully left behind.

“It really came about from just speaking with our AD, Aaron Blankenship,” Woods said. “They asked if I’d be willing to come back and take it into consideration. I talked to my family, got the blessing, and here I am.”

The move comes after a mutual offseason split with former head coach Jerome Nelson, who led the Indians the past two seasons, including a 5-18 overall record and a 4-12 mark in Greater Miami Conference play last year, as the program looks to reset its direction.

For Woods, the timing aligned in a way he didn’t expect — but one he quickly embraced.

“I didn’t think the opportunity would come so soon,” Woods said. “But when it did, it was definitely a no-brainer after speaking with my family.”

Woods brings a deep coaching background to the role. He was a longtime head coach of the Cincinnati Christian boys basketball program before taking over the Fairfield girls program in 2022, giving him both program-building experience and familiarity with the current landscape.

Woods previously stepped away from coaching to spend more time with family and watching his son Logan play basketball at Wright State University.

“It was hard to step down at that time,” Woods said. “But I wanted to share those experiences with him. Now, to have the chance to come back — it just feels right.”

Even during his time away, Woods remained connected to the Fairfield community. Whether attending games or running into familiar faces around town, the identity of “Coach Woods” never faded.

“The passion never left,” Woods said. “It was just the timing.”

Off the court, Woods brings an extensive professional background that mirrors the leadership he hopes to re-establish in the program. He serves as a Senior Health and Safety Professional with Jacobs Engineering, which is headquartered in Dallas and maintains an office in Cincinnati. He also works within Fairfield as a Special Assistant to the Athletics Department and Site Manager, and is a Certified Master Athletic Administrator.

That blend of experience — from corporate leadership to athletic administration — shapes Woods’ approach as he returns to the bench.

Fairfield athletic director Aaron Blankenship believes that familiarity and leadership will be key advantages.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Coach Woods back,” Blankenship said. “Finding the right fit is key, and Carl brings exactly what we value — a strong understanding of our culture, the ability to build meaningful relationships, and a proven track record of success.”

Woods now inherits a program filled with potential — one he knows well. With one of the largest school districts in the area, Fairfield has long had the numbers and talent pool to compete at a high level. The challenge, Woods says, is keeping that talent home.

“It’s a matter of keeping the talent internally,” Woods said. “Fairfield has been poached for a long time. You see other communities benefiting from it, and that’s tough. But with the talent we have here, there’s no reason we can’t build something special.”

His immediate focus is on assembling his staff and laying the groundwork for summer workouts. Woods expects to have roughly 80 percent of his coaching staff in place heading into the summer, including the return of assistant Robert Green.

From there, the work begins.

“It’s about building their passion,” Woods said. “Getting them to believe in staying here, growing here, and creating something they can be proud of.”

For a program still chasing its first Greater Miami Conference championship since the 1970s, the climb won’t be easy.

“With the talent pool here, it can definitely be accomplished,” Woods said. “It’s just a matter of putting in the work and getting there together.”