Bethune-Cookman head coach Raymond Woodie made it clear Monday that his program has no place for the altercation that erupted during the Wildcats’ recent game at Grambling State.
“We don’t tolerate that,” Woodie said on Monday in his first public comments since the incident. “Obviously, you had individuals trying to de-escalate things. The film doesn’t lie. At the end of the day, our guys know we don’t tolerate that here.”
Videos of the incident appeared to show players and coaches from both sides involved in a post-halftime confrontation. When asked about Grambling State coach Mickey Joseph’s comments that suggested the Wildcats’ coaching staff was to blame for the incident, Woodie declined to engage in a public back-and-forth.
“I worry about what we’re doing,” Woodie said. “That’s why we watch film. We had players who were doing the right thing—coming on and leaving the field like they should. That’s what I focus on.”
Woodie also pointed out that one of his assistant coaches was struck by a Grambling State player while attempting to calm the situation.
“One of our coaches got swung at,” he said. “I don’t know how you can prevent that part of it, but he was being professional—trying to make sure things stayed calm.”
The third-quarter scuffle resulted in nine unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and ejections of five Grambling players and four from Bethune-Cookman.
The incident is under review by the SWAC, but Woodie reiterated that discipline and accountability remain at the core of Bethune-Cookman’s program identity.
