Woodruff, a quarterback and punter at Kent State University, joined the University of Washington staff in Seattle as a graduate assistant under head coach Don James in 1980.
A quarterback and punter at Kent State University, Woodruff began his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant and tight ends coach in 1979. He joined the University of Washington staff in Seattle as a graduate assistant under head coach Don James in 1980, then moved to the University of Nevada in 1983 for a season as the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator. 
