Three things to know about new UNCW women's basketball coach Nicole Woods

UNCW introduced new women's basketball coach Nicole Woods in a press conference held Monday afternoon.

Woods, who spent a decade specializing in recruiting as an assistant coach at UNC Charlotte, is wiping the slate clean at UNCW, promising an exciting style of basketball that gets and keeps fans engaged with the program.

Here are three things to know about UNCW's newest women's basketball coach.

UNCW HIRES WOODS UNCW names Nicole Woods new women's basketball coach

SIDDLE STICKING WITH UNCW UNCW extends men's basketball coach Takayo Siddle's contract through 2027-2028 season

NEW SEAHAWKS AD: Meet Michael Oblinger, UNCW's newest athletic director

Creating a winning culture

In her introductory press conference, Woods didn't get into the specifics of what offense she'll run or what players will start, but she did promise an enticing style of basketball.

"We are gonna be fun to watch. We are going to be exciting," Woods said Monday. "We are going to be something that you want your little daughter or granddaughter to see and be a part of."

As of late, the Seahawks have been far from exciting. With just five victories this winter and a record of 25-85 over the past four seasons, there have been many questions as to how the team can return to winning ways.

For Woods, the recent struggles for the Seahawks haven't been a personnel issue.

"I knew we had some players here already," she said. "I said this to (the team), 'You all should have won more than five games last year. I don't know why you didn't, but you should have based off the talent."

Tina Martin, who served as interim head coach this winter after UNCW fired Karen Barefoot last February, will not be a part of Woods' staff.

Recruiting background

While Woods has served as an assistant coach, one of her most prominent assets is her years of recruiting experience.

"I am very authentic and, like I said, relationships are my superpower," she said. "I feel like in general, when people know you care, they just kind of open up a little bit more."

Woods' hiring comes just one day before UNCW extended the contract of men's basketball coach Takayo Siddle and marks the first hiring by new athletic director Michael Oblinger.

Oblinger said Woods' experience as a coach and recruiter in the state made her a clear favorite for the position.

"Something that was really obvious to me ... as we were interviewing Coach is (that she) is someone who is a champion of the student-athlete experience," Oblinger said.

A North Carolina native

Born in Gastonia, Woods has spent most of her life in the Tar Heel state, playing at Belmont Abbey, where she graduated in 2006, and coaching in Charlotte.

Except for two years of playing professional basketball in England and her first four years as a coach, including stops at Southern Illinois and Stetson, Woods has kept close to her native state.

While leaving Charlotte wasn't something she initially planned, the opportunity to become a head coach in an area where she's done plenty of recruiting was too good to pass up.

"I never thought that I would leave Charlotte, but again, at this point and time, I knew it was time for me to go," she said. "I'd like to think I am a pretty decent recruiter and half of the team I actually recruited on the front end of things."

Woods officially starts as UNCW's 12th women's basketball coach on April 19, when she can have her first practice with the team and begin preparations for next season.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What to know about new UNCW women's basketball coach Nicole Woods