Kansas State Adds Marcus Woodson to Defensive Staff

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head coach Collin Klein announced Monday the hiring of Marcus Woodson as co-defensive coordinator,responsible for coaching the defensive backs. Woodson brings 21 years of experience to the Wildcats.

Woodson joins the K-State program after three seasons as co-defensive coordinator at Arkansas.

“My family and I are incredibly excited to join the Kansas State family,” saeid Woodson. He previously worked alongside K-State defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson at Fresno State in 2014 and 2015. “I am grateful for the chance to pour into our players and help build something special here in Manhattan.”

This marks Woodson’s first position in the Big 12 Conference, following five seasons in the SEC and three in the ACC.

“Marcus is a great addition to our defensive staff,” Klein stated. “He is of high character, hard working and a winner. I am excited for him to help lead our defense and develop our secondary.”

During his initial season at arkansas, Woodson’s guidance led to the Razorbacks’ best pass defense in 12 years, allowing 202.8 passing yards per game (ranked 31st nationally – a 99-spot improvement). Arkansas also achieved its fewest yards allowed per game in a decade (357.2), and Woodson’s secondary contributed to a national-leading five defensive touchdowns.

In his second year at Arkansas,the team secured its first shutout in six seasons,along with road wins against Auburn and Mississippi State. The secondary recorded a season-high four interceptions and six pass breakups against Auburn, and two interceptions against Mississippi State.

Prior to Arkansas, Woodson spent three seasons at Florida State as defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator. In 2022, the Seminoles ranked fourth nationally in passing defense, conceding only 165.4 yards per game. He coached safety Jammie Robinson to his second consecutive All-ACC First Team selection, as Robinson led the team with 99 tackles.

Woodson has a proven track record of developing NFL Draft picks. Jammie Robinson was selected by Carolina in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. This marked the seventh time in four years a Woodson-coached player was drafted, including Noah Igbinoghene, a first-round pick (30th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 2020, whom Woodson coached to transition from wide receiver to defensive back at auburn in 2018.

In 2021,Florida State’s defense featured eight players with at least one interception and forced 20 total takeaways,ending the season on an eight-game streak with at least one interception – the longest in the nation at the time.