A new principal has to deal with the end of Carlos Woods’ leadership, just before the start of the 2026 season.
By Ed James III
Original Air Date: July 29, 2026
Host: Less than three weeks before the start of the 2026 Florida high school football season, Booker High School faces uncertainty surrounding its football program following the dismissal of head coach Carlos Woods. Reporting on the changes, lack of coaching continuity and community response is WSLR reporter Ed James III.
Ed James III: Last Friday, Booker High School parted ways with Carlos Woods, who served dual roles as the school’s athletic director and head football coach. Woods was initially placed on administrative leave before the school district terminated his contract in both athletic capacities.
Carlos Woods
As of this report, neither Booker High School administration nor the Sarasota County School District has issued a formal public statement detailing the specific reasons behind his dismissal.
The sudden leadership void comes at a key moment for the school as long-time principal Dr. Rachel Shelley retired this past spring after 15 years at the helm of Booker.
Her retirement prompted a district-led principal search that narrowed to two primary candidates in May 2026: Greg Rumph, Booker’s longtime assistant principal who oversaw athletics, and Jamal Crook, a former Division I college football player who previously served as principal of Buchanan Middle School in Hillsborough County. Following a community candidate forum held in the Booker High VPA Auditorium, the district appointed Jamal Crook as principal.
Coach Woods’ departure marks the latest chapter in a multi-decade pattern of coaching turnover at Booker High School. Since the retirement of legendary head coach Fred Gilmore—who led the program to a state semifinal appearance and a state championship game before stepping down in 2011—the Tornadoes have experienced frequent shifts in sideline leadership.
Booker has a storied history of developing high-level athletes, sending numerous players to the National Football League. That includes standouts such as Michael Hawthorne, Baraka Atkins, Sam Shields, Jeremy Butler and Marlon Mack. However, maintaining that level of success has proven challenging amid frequent coaching shifts.
Following Gilmore’s tenure, Johnnie Jones served as head coach from 2012 to 2013, succeeded by Recharde Goodwyn from 2014 until his resignation four games into the 2016 season. Former Booker player Dumaka Atkins—a 2003 alumnus who played at Florida State and Tennessee State—led the team from 2017 to 2019. His brother, former NFL defensive end Baraka Atkins, took over from 2019 through 2021, departing after an 0-and-8 campaign in the 2021–2022 season.
Scottie Littles was hired in 2022 and orchestrated an athletic resurgence, posting four consecutive winning seasons and leading Booker to back-to-back state semifinal appearances in 2023 and 2024. Littles resigned in April 2025, leading to the hiring of Carlos Woods last summer.
This cycle of coaching changes has re-emerged alongside growing concern from alumni, former educators and current students. Torrey Grimes, a Booker High alumnus and retired Booker Middle School teacher, says he’s disappointed with how this situation has been handled by leadership.
Torrey Grimes: I’m troubled at recent events that have been going on with the football program, but I’m hopeful that both the administration and the athletic department can rectify the situation and hopefully get something solidified so that we can get our student athletes on the field and have a good season.
The Booker Tornadoes’ football field | Photo via Facilitron
EJ: Current student leaders at Booker, like rising senior Chloe Truewell, have also expressed concern regarding how administrative volatility impacts campus culture heading into the upcoming school year. Truewell believes that the uncertainty around the football program has had a major impact on school pride and student engagement.
Following Woods’ termination last week, over 20 Booker High football players transferred to other schools across the region. The sudden roster contraction led to public speculation of whether the Tornadoes would have sufficient player numbers to field a team for the 2026 season.
However, an official statement posted on the Booker High School Athletic Department Facebook page confirmed that mandatory fall camp workouts would proceed as scheduled and that the school intends to fulfill its 2026 regular season slate, including two high-profile out-of-state games.
The school announced that Angie Byrd, Booker’s head girls volleyball coach and former assistant athletic director, will step in as athletic director. As of broadcast time, the school has not named an interim head coach for the football team.
Reporting for WSLR 96.5 FM News, I’m Ed James III.
Host: ABC 7 just reported there is an active criminal investigation involving Carlos Woods. The Sarasota Police Department told the TV news station the investigation was prompted by allegations received from an outside agency, which do not involve any harm or wrongdoings toward any students.
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