Roy Woods, a former cornerback and Class of 1986 Plano East graduate, was inducted into the football team’s Hall of Honor on Oct. 23. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Roy Woods knew that he had to work harder than most players to make the Plano East football team.
Woods was an undersized defensive back who stood 5-foot-5. He understood that other teams would center their offensive game plans around exploiting his lack of size. But he accepted the challenge, all while hearing chirping from opposing players well before the games started.
“Week to week, I was a captain, and when we were walking out for the coin toss, I heard giggles and smiles from the other team,” he said. “They said that they would be coming at me. I took it as pride and determination and was ready to take it on. I took it on with a smile. The coaches never doubted me.”
Woods’ determination was noticed by The Dallas Morning News, which named him defensive player of the week after he posted two interceptions and made several game-saving tackles during a 1985 non-district game against Dallas Skyline. After the season, he was named to the all-district and All-Metroplex teams.
The lasting impact that Woods, a 1986 Plano East graduate, made on the Panthers football team during the 1984 and 1985 seasons was celebrated Oct. 23, when he was inducted into the Plano East Football Hall of Honor. The ceremony took place between the first and second quarters of Plano East’s home game against Plano at Tom Kimbrough Stadium.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I grew up in Plano, went to Christie Elementary, Carpenter Middle School, Clark High School and graduated from Plano East. It’s a dream come true to be in this position.”
Woods went to Plano Senior High School football games with his father growing up. At the time, Plano Senior was the only high school in the city. When Plano East opened in 1981, he had the option of attending either Plano Senior or Plano East. He decided on Plano East because he wanted to help start a new tradition.
It didn’t take long for Plano East to make its mark, and Woods was a big reason why the Panthers achieved a lot of success in their infancy. Plano East made the third round of the playoffs both his junior and senior seasons while earning its first-ever win against Plano Senior.
“We were not a team full of D-I athletes, but we had a great brotherhood,” he said. “A few of us played both ways. We were close. Many of the same guys that I played with came to my Hall of Honor induction 40 years later. It shows how close-knit of a football team we were.”
Woods played with former Plano East head coach Joey McCullough. McCullough was an outside linebacker for the Panthers. He later served as the Panthers’ head coach for eight seasons, from 2014 until retiring from Plano ISD in 2021.
McCullough helped point Woods in the right direction after Woods decided to leave the corporate world following a 30-year career with Geico.
Woods also credited former Plano Senior head coach Gerald Brence for helping him with his transition into teaching, including the process of obtaining an alternative teaching certification. Woods has been teaching at Plano East and serving as the Panthers’ linebackers coach for the last eight seasons.
“I don’t look at it as work now,” Woods said. “I love kids, love coaching. To do it now full time is a blessing.”
Woods has served on the committee for the Plano East Football Hall of Honor for the last three years.
Each year, the seven-member committee — composed of principals, former coaches, former players and athletic directors — reviews athletes from past seasons and nominates them for induction.
He said the committee is hopeful to induct at least four more former players during the 2026 season.
Detrick Propes, Landis Durham and Kenny McEntyre were inducted earlier this season.
Woods said Plano East head coach Tony Benedetto has been fully supportive of the committee’s initiatives and goals.
“He was very supportive,” Woods said. “He listened to all of our ideas and provided support and assistance.”