Nursing the sick, guarding the coach

Darrick Woods, a compassionate, caring, family man, is also a ruthless, die-hard, life-long Tar Heel fan. His wife, Chante Woods, whom he met at UNC Hospitals where they were both nurses, says no matter what they’re doing, Darrick Woods usually has a game on or is checking a score.

So where does a guy like Woods find a place to combine his caring nature with his love of Carolina blue?

On the court of course, guarding the head coach of the UNC men’s basketball team, Roy Williams.

During the day, Woods is a nurse manager on the emergency services transitions unit. But since 1993, his off-hours have led him to the Smith Center, where he serves on the security detail for Carolina basketball. Beginning with Dean Smith, Woods has served as security for four Tar Heels coaches, including two Hall-of-Famers. His position used to be filled by uniformed officers, but according to Woods, Smith wasn’t comfortable with that image, so the team made the switch to plain-clothes security, which is how Woods got his start 21 years ago.

“Darrick is security, but he is also my security blanket,” Williams said. “Darrick is a guy that doesn’t just do a job. It’s alive with him and every time I see him it brings a smile to my face and that’s a pretty good legacy to have.”

From dealing with eager fans running onto the court to escorting the coach back and forth from the locker room, Woods is there for Williams through the ups and downs of every season. While he appears silent and stoic, he said he’s always mentally cheering for the Tar Heels.

Describing his dual role at Carolina, Woods says, “It’s a no-brainer for me. I graduated from UNC, and I love UNC Health Care. It’s just like a perfect fit, and like a dream come true.”

Package courtesy of UNC Health Care