Justin Woodberry has always wanted to make an impact with young men. He gets that chance as the new Riverside High School boys head basketball coach.
“Even in high school I always knew I wanted to impact the lives of young men because of the impact my coaches have had on me,” Woodberry said. “I want to teach young men, and give them some of the tools to be successful after high school and to build on the progress made here in the past couple of years.”
Woodberry, 31, graduated Mullins High School in 2001 and played football at The Citadel, graduating in 2006.
He joined the National Guard and coached varsity basketball and football as an assistant at Mullins, helping basketball advance to one state championship and three AA lower state championships.
Woodberry is expected to coach offensive backs in football..
The toughest decision, Woodberry said, was to make the move from his hometown of Mullins where he graduated and coached to come to the upstate.
“When I found I had the opportunity to come here, it was a no brainer,” Woodberry said. I talked with my family and we went back and forth for a while. To move from Marion County up to Greenville, it is probably the best thing for us.”
Riverside Athletic Director Murray Long, also a former coach at Mullins before coming to Riverside, said he had followed Woodberry as an assistant coach and the most difficult decision was Woodberry leaving the comfort zone of his roots to come to the upstate.
“I think (Woodberry) realized the best move for is career was coming here and he gave a lot of thought making the move,” Long said.
Riverside is Woodberry’s first head coaching job. “This is a great opportunity to be in the best conference in the state,” he said.
Playing in Region II-AAAA is one of toughest assignments in basketball. “I am excited to be here and anxious to get the season started,” Woodberry said. “We have 1,600 kids here and Dorman and other schools in the region have 3,200. Those are pretty big numbers to go against.”
“I think the one thing I have taken from my coaches in high school is the worth ethic they put in,” Woodberry said. “I want to build on that same work ethic and continue to build this program to the highest level. This is a good opportunity and Riverside has a rich tradition. I am honored to be here.
The academic standards here are top notch,” Woodberry said. “It going to be fun to compete athletically and academically.”
Up to the days leading to Monday’s media announcement Woodberry still couldn’t believe his good fortune. “I kept texting Murray trying to believe this is really happening,” Woodberry said.